If you want to make a complaint it is usually best to contact the person or organisation and discuss the issue directly with them. You could talk to them about your concerns, and follow up in writing by email or letter. It is helpful to make the complaint in writing so you have a record of it.
Some larger organisations have internal review procedures that must be followed if you want to make a complaint. Check their website to see if they have information about their internal review procedure.
In some cases, you may be required to complain directly to the organisation before making a complaint to an independent third party.
If you want to make a complaint it is usually best to contact the person or organisation and discuss the issue directly with them. You could talk to them about your concerns, and follow up in writing by email or letter. It is helpful to make the complaint in writing so you have a record of it.
Some larger organisations have internal review procedures that must be followed if you want to make a complaint. Check their website to see if they have information about their internal review procedure.
In some cases, you may be required to complain directly to the organisation before making a complaint to an independent third party.
If the person or organisation does not respond to your complaint, or you are not happy with their response, there is usually an independent organisation or third party you can complain to.
To find out who you can complain to about courts and tribunals, government departments, businesses, services and other organisations, see 'Who to make a complaint to' below.
If you want to make a complaint about a problem you have experienced, who you can complain to will depend on the nature of your situation and the type of complaint you want to make.
In some circumstances, there may be a number of different organisations that you can make a complaint to. However, you may be limited in the number of complaints you can make.
There may also be time limits for you to make a complaint.
If you are unsure who to make a complaint to, you should get legal advice.
For more information, see:
There are different bodies in NSW that deal with certain types of complaints about certain organisations and agencies.
If you want to make a complaint about a certain issue there may be a complaint body, or in some circumstances, there may be a number of different organisations that you can make a complaint to. However, you may be limited in the number of complaints you can make.
There may also be time limits for you to make a complaint to.
If you are unsure who to make a complain to, you should get legal advice.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission deals with complaints against aged care service providers, including about:
For more information, see The complaints process on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman deals with complaints about:
For more information, see How can we help on the Commonwealth Ombudsman website.
Anti-Discrimination NSW handles complaints under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) in regards to the following areas:
If you want to make a complaint to Anti-Discrimination NSW, you have 12 months from the date of the discrimination to lodge your complaint.
For more information, see Making a complaint on the Anti-Discrimination NSW website.
The Australian Human Rights Commission investigates complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights.
You have 24 months from the date of the discrimination to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
For more information about the complaint process, see Make a complaint on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national workplace relations tribunal.
People employed under national awards (modern awards) and national agreements are covered by the Fair Work system.
The commission has powers to deal with:
For more information, see Termination of employment and Disputes at work on the Fair Work Commission website.
The Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) is the NSW workplace relations tribunal.
People employed under state awards and agreements in the public service in state and local government organisations are covered by the NSW Industrial Relations system.
The IRC has the power to deal with:
For more information, see Claims and applications on the Industrial Relations Commission website.
The Health Care Complaints Commission deals with complains about all health services and providers in NSW, including:
For more information, see Understanding Complaints on the Health Care Complaints Commission website.
NSW Ombudsman
The NSW Ombudsman deals with complaints about:
For more information, see What you can complain about to us on the NSW Ombudsman website.
Victims of crime in New South Wales have a Charter of Victims Rights (the Charter) to protect and promote their right.
The Charter of Victims Rights outlines 18 rights for victims of crime in NSW.
If you believe that a NSW Government or non-government agency or contractor (excluding private legal officers and medical practitioners) funded to provide services to victims of crime has not acted in accordance with the Charter of Victims Rights, you are entitled to make a complaint.
For more information, see If your rights have not been met If your rights have not been met on the Victims Services website.
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