The Department of Justice and Community Safety actively manages Victoria’s road safety camera systems to ensure they are maintained, tested and operate accurately.
To maintain public confidence in the system, we provide strong oversight through several key activities.
Responding to community feedback
We receive and investigate community complaints, concerns and suggestions about road safety cameras. This feedback helps us identify issues, improve system performance and strengthen transparency.
How to give feedback
To submit an enquiry or make a complaint, visit Contact us about road safety cameras(opens in a new window).
Independent public perception surveys
Regular public perception surveys are conducted by an independent research organisation. These surveys measure community perceptions of road safety cameras. They help us understand public attitudes, awareness and behaviour related to road safety cameras. The insights help guide improvements and support better public communication.
Independent performance reviews
Independent performance reviews of the Road Safety Camera Program are undertaken to assess the accuracy and reliability of Victoria’s road safety cameras. These reviews make sure:
- the system continues to be effective and efficient
- the cameras meet strict performance and legislative standards.
The findings of these reviews help maintain accountability and community trust in the road safety camera system.
History
From 2012 to 2026, oversight of Victoria’s road safety camera system was supported by the Office of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner. Established as an independent statutory office, its purpose was to strengthen community confidence in the integrity of the state’s automated road safety enforcement program.
Early development of the road safety camera system
Victoria’s road safety camera system began in 1983 with cameras detecting red-light offences. Over the decades, the program expanded significantly to include:
- mobile digital road safety cameras for speed detection
- fixed digital road safety cameras detecting speed
- trailer-based cameras detecting handheld portable device and seatbelt offences.
As automated enforcement increased, so too did community and media interest. Questions were raised about the accuracy, fairness and overall integrity of the system.
2011 Victoria Auditor-General’s Office review
In response to growing public concern, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) undertook a review of the road safety camera system in 2011.
The VAGO report concluded that road safety cameras were effective in improving road safety and reducing road trauma and supported their continued use as an enforcement tool.
The government accepted the report’s recommendations and subsequently introduced the Road Safety Camera Commissioner Act 2011(opens in a new window), which established the powers, functions and governance arrangements for the Commissioner and the Office of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner.
Role of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner
The Road Safety Camera Commissioner’s mission was to enhance community confidence in the system by providing:
- an avenue for public complaints and enquiries
- independent oversight and quality assurance
- investigations into camera accuracy and operation.
The role of Commissioner was held by:
- His Honour Gordon Lewis AM (2012 to 2016)
- John Voyage (2016 to 2019)
- Stephen Leane APM (2019 to 2021)
- Neville Taylor APM (2021 to 2025).
Transition of oversight to Department of Justice and Community Safety
As the road safety camera system has matured, the Victorian Government determined that the standalone oversight model was no longer required.
In March 2026, legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament repealing the Road Safety Camera Commissioner Act 2011 and abolishing the role of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner.
Following this legislative change, key oversight functions are now managed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety, ensuring continued accountability, transparency and community trust in the road safety camera system.
Historical Road Safety Camera Commissioner publications
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