External agencies and regulators

The Health Care Complaints Commission acts to protect public health and safety by resolving, investigating and prosecuting complaints about health care. 

The NSW Ministry of Health oversees the NSW public health system, which operates public hospitals, as well as providing community health and other public health services for the NSW community through a network of local health districts, specialty networks and non-government affiliated health organisations, known collectively as NSW Health. 

A state-wide independent government agency that provides legal information to anyone in NSW through the legal information and referral service, LawAccess NSW. You can also access the Mental Health Advocacy service through Legal Aid NSW, which supports with mental health related legal issues.

The Health and Community Services Complaints Commission (HCSCC) promotes the rights and safety of consumers and service providers, and works to resolve complaints about health, mental health, disability and aged care services throughout the Northern Territory.

The Queensland Family and Child Commission is a statutory body charged with responsibility to review and improve the systems that protect and safeguard our children. They can investigate situations where an organisation may not be meeting their obligations under the Child Safe Standards.

Queensland Health oversees the statewide public healthcare system, including public hospitals, clinics and health centres. Under the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Queensland Health consists of the Department of Health, and Hospital and Health Boards.

Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) is an independent organisation that advocates for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland. They provide individual advocacy through their Human Rights Law Centre, Justice Support Program, Mental Health Advocacy Practice and NDIS Appeals service.

The Health and Community Services Complaint Commissioner (HCSCC) South Australia supports consumers, carers and service providers to resolve complaints. 

The Office of the Public Advocate South Australia promotes the rights and interests of people who need assistance with decision making. They provide information and dispute resolution, advocacy, investigation, and guardianship.

The Chief Psychiatrist is a statutory role with powers and functions relating to the administration of the Mental Health Act 2009 and the standard of mental health care in South Australia.

Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc (DACSSA) is a free, independent information and support organisation servicing regional/country South Australia and the Adelaide metropolitan area. DACSSA can support people with disability, and their family, carers and supporters, with informed decision making and advocacy.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is an independent statutory authority which oversees the performance, quality and safety of Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system.

The Public Advocate is an independent statutory officer, with considerable legislative power to promote and safeguard the rights and interests of people with disability. 

Like the Ombudsman, the Public Advocate has significant powers to investigate allegations of abuse of vulnerable Victorians, reporting directly to Parliament.

The Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) is a free, independent statutory body that resolves complaints about healthcare and the handling of health information in Victoria. You can make a complaint about any health service provider in Victoria.

VMIAC is the peak Victorian organisation for people with a lived/living experience of mental health challenges and emotional distress, working across advocacy, policy and workforce reform. VMIAC provides a Consumer Advocacy Service and NDIS Appeals Advocacy Service.

The Chief Psychiatrist is an independent statutory officer. They hold powers and responsibilities prescribed by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 to uphold the quality and safety of clinical services in Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. They can investigate incidents when the safety or wellbeing of a person was endangered while receiving a mental health and wellbeing service. 

The Mental Health Legal Centre provides free and confidential legal services for Victorians experiencing mental health issues in the community, in treatment facilities, and in prisons through their multidisciplinary legal service, education, research and advocacy work.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission works to protect human rights, promote fair treatment for all Victorians, and advocate for a diverse and inclusive state.

The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) is an independent statutory authority providing an impartial complaint resolution service for complaints about health, mental health, and disability services (outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme) in Western Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories.

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) of Western Australia administers the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). In doing so, it helps Western Australians understand their rights and responsibilities under the Act. The EOC WA provides information and education about unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and manages complaints in an impartial way, focusing on fair and lawful outcomes. 

The Mental Health Tribunal Western Australia (MHT WA) is an independent decision-making body established by the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA) to safeguard the rights of involuntary patients in Western Australia. They accept requests to review any Involuntary Treatment Order made in Western Australia.

The Chief Psychiatrist is a statutory officer who oversees the quality and delivery of mental health services in the state. The Chief Psychiatrist’s mission is to ensure that all Western Australians receive the highest standard of mental health treatment and care.

The Mental Health Advocacy Service is a free service supporting people who are receiving or referred for involuntary mental health treatment. They support consumers to understand and exercise their rights, and all advocates are independent from hospitals and mental health services. 

Ruah Legal Services incorporates the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) and is a state-wide community legal assistance service. Ruah Legal Services provides legal advice and representation in matters under the Mental Health Act 2014 and in proceedings relating to criminal law, care and protection, Guardianship and Administration Orders, and family and domestic violence. 

It is Western Australia’s only community legal service for people facing legal issues related to their mental health. Online referrals can be made via the website.

The Public Advocate is the independent statutory officer promoting and protecting the rights of adult Western Australians with decision-making disabilities to reduce their risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse.