The Australian newspaper broke the story today, claiming the 46-year-old was contacted by police in early May after allegations by female students that he received bribes in the form of sexual favours and money.

The man reportedly took his own life two days after the police informed him of their investigation, overdosing on prescription drugs at his Footscray home in Melbourne's inner west.

The man was a subject co-ordinator in the Faculty of Business and Law and was based at the university's Footscray campus, where he taught law subjects to students studying accountancy and business.

According to The Australian, Victoria University uncovered the allegations in December and referred them to police. The man was immediately stood down but fellow staff members were not informed of the circumstances of his dismissal, and later received the news of his death.

The university has declined to comment, citing privacy reasons.

"The university has processes in place that ensure that any allegations that are made, that could constitute criminal conduct, are referred to the police," the university's senior deputy vice-chancellor, John McCallum, said in a statement.