How to complain about a commonwealth
or state government department, business or agency
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The Commonwealth Ombudsman takes complaints about the administrative actions of Australian Government departments and agencies, such as:
- Centrelink
- Medicare
- Child Support Agency
- Australian Federal Police
- Immigration
The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the:
- Defence Force Ombudsman
- Overseas Students Ombudsman
- Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
- Postal Industry Ombudsman
Since 2015, most complaints about the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) are handled by the Inspector-General of Taxation. More information
Other useful information:
There is an Ombudsman office for each Australian state and territory. This office will independently and impartially investigate, review and resolve complaints concerning state, territory, local government departments and agencies; statutory authorities; public servants; local councillors and council staff; police and public universities (under state legislation). Any person, organisation or association or MP on behalf of a constituent can make a complaint. There is no charge to you.
ACT
The ACT Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administrative actions of Australian Capital Territory Government agencies and public education providers. The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the ACT Ombudsman.
Other useful information:
VIC
You can complain to the Ombudsman if you are unhappy about the way you have been treated by a Victorian Government department, a statutory authority, a local council and a private agency that carries out statutory responsibilities of government.
Other useful information:
In Victoria, complaints about Victoria Police are handled
by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
NSW
In addition to the areas listed above, the NSW Ombudsman also takes complaints about NSW community and disability services, including substitute residential child care agencies and child care centres. It also receives notifications of employee related reportable allegations (child protection).
Other useful information:
The Commission takes complaints about serious police corruption and misconduct.
NT
A state office that deals with complaints about Northern Territory government departments and agencies
Other useful information:
QLD
The Queensland Ombudsman investigates complaints about state government agencies, local councils and public universities.
Other useful information:
- Common complaints
- Annual reports
- Investigative reports
- Legislation
SA
Ombudsman SA investigates complaints about South Australian government and local government agencies, conducts freedom of information reviews, and supports and monitors the implementation of the Information Sharing Guidelines. Anyone can lodge a complaint, and the Ombudsman can also receive information about State and local government activities confidentially from whistle-blowers.
Other useful information:
The Police Complaints Authority is an independent statutory body which answers directly to Parliament. The Authority is entirely independent of the South Australia Police (SAPOL) and none of the staff are police officers.
TAS
Ombudsman Tasmania investigates the administrative actions of Tasmanian public authorities
to ensure that their actions are lawful, reasonable and fair. These include government departments, local councils, water and sewerage corporations, prisons, state-owned companies
and Government Business Enterprises.
Other useful information:
WA
The Ombudsman WA receives, investigates and resolves complaints about the administrative decision making and practices of the public sector, local government and universities.
Other useful information:
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