Updates with details about surveillance review in paragraphs 3-5

July 9 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator said on Thursday it had begun reviewing audit conduct complaints received by the Big Four accounting firms KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC after recent allegations of auditor misconduct at KPMG.

The review follows the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) formal investigation, launched in June, into three KPMG Australia partners over whistleblower allegations that the firm misused confidential client data to win lucrative audit contracts.

The surveillance will examine internal complaints, including whistleblower complaints, received by the firms in connection to the external audit services they provide, ASIC said in its statement.

The review will also include whether the firms have received complaints relating to misconduct by auditors, such as the misuse or sharing of confidential information, the regulator added.

All four firms did not respond immediately to Reuters' requests for comment.