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:
- National Student Ombudsman (since 2025)
- Defence Force Ombudsman
- International Students Ombudsman
- Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
- Postal Industry Ombudsman
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; public universities (under state legislation) ans in some cases, police. 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.
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
The NSW Ombudsman handles complaints about NSW government agencies, local councils, and some community services that are funded by government for children, young people and families.
Other useful information:
In NSW, complaints about Police are handled by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
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:
In South Australia, complaints about police are handled by the Office for Public Integrity.
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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