Consumer complaints and advocacy
There are a number of organisations covering consumer complaints and advocacy.
QUEENSLAND
Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian
The Commission can deal with complaints about any government or non-government service provided (or not being provided) to children and young people in the child safety and/or youth justice systems.
Phone: (07) 3211 6700
Free call: 1800 688 275
Text: 0418 740 186
Address: Level 17, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD (Phone ahead for an appointment.)
Write to: PO Box 15217, BRISBANE CITY EAST, QLD 4002
E-mail: info@ccypcg.qld.gov.au
Online: https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/contact-us
Queensland Ombudsman
The Ombudsman handles complaints about decisions of Queensland Government agencies and local councils. The Queensland Ombudsman aims to ensure public agencies act fairly and make the right decisions for Queenslanders. It is an independent agency that can take action if a decision is unlawful, unfair, unreasonable or wrong.
Phone: (07) 3005 7000
Toll free: 1800 068 908
Address: Level 17, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD (Phone ahead for an appointment)
Write to: GPO Box 3314, BRISBANE QLD 4001
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au
Online: https://www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au/make-a-complaint/makecomplaint
The Health Quality and Complaints Commission
The Health Quality and Complaints Commission is an independent organisation dedicated to improving the safety and quality of healthcare in Queensland.
Phone: (07) 3120 5999
Free call: 1800 077 308
Address: Level 17, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD (Phone ahead for an appointment.)
Write to: GPO Box 3123, BRISBANE QLD 4001
E-mail: info@hqcc.qld.gov.au
Online: https://www.complaints.services.qld.gov.au/
Queensland Health
Anybody can make a complaint about any service offered by Queensland Health. In some circumstances a relative, carer or friend of a consumer may make a complaint. A compliant can also be made by a consumer group or advocate.
Phone: 07 3234 0111
Address: Queensland Health Building, 147-163 Charlotte Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000 Australia
Write to: GPO Box 48 Brisbane, Queensland 4001 Australia
Online: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/comments
Health Quality and Complaints Commission
Works with healthcare providers, consumers and other organisations to improve the safety and quality of health services in Queensland.
Phone: 07 3120 5999
Free call: 1800 077 308
Address: Health Quality and Complaints Commission, Level 17, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Write to: Health Quality and Complaints Commission, GPO Box 3089, Brisbane QLD 4001
Email: info@hqcc.qld.gov.au
Online: http://www.hqcc.qld.gov.au/About-us/Pages/default.aspx
Office of the Information Commissioner
Generally speaking, the privacy principles apply to all Queensland government agencies including Departments, public authorities and local government.
Phone: (07) 3234 7373
Address: Level 8, 160 Mary Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Write to: PO Box 10143, Adelaide Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000
Email: administration@oic.qld.gov.au
Online: https://www.oic.qld.gov.au/about/privacy/make-a-privacy-complaint
Queensland Advocacy Inc. – Mental Health Legal Service
2nd Floor, South Central, 43 Peel Street South Brisbane, Qld, 4101
Phone: (07) 3844 4200
Online: http://www.qai.org.au/
Mental Health Association Queensland
473 Annerley Road Annerley, Qld, 4103
Phone: 1300 729 686
Email: info@mentalhealth.org.au
Online: http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/
Arafemi Queensland
237 Kent Street
New Farm, Qld, 4005
Phone: (07) 3254 1811
Toll Free: 1800 251881
Online: https://arafmi.com.au/
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW Fair Trading
If you have not been able to resolve your problem with the company, you can lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading.
Address: NSW Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta 2124
Phone: 13 32 20
Online: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint
Ombudsman NSW
You can make a complaint about a provider of the services by accessing the details below.
Phone: 02 9286 1000
Toll free: 1800 451 524
Address: Level 24, 580 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Email: nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au
Online: https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/monitor-community-services
Online Complaint Form: https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/Making-a-complaint/how-to-make-a-complaint
Health Care Complaints Commission
The Commission’s Inquiry Service handles inquiries from people who are concerned about the quality of the health care provided to them or to a family member or friend. The service also responds to questions from health service providers in relation to complaints.
Phone: 02 9219 7444
Toll Free in NSW: 1800 043 159
Address: Level 13, 323 Castlereagh Street (corner of Hay St), SYDNEY NSW 2000
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
Online: http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/Information/Information-For-Health-Consumers/Resolving-Concerns-about-your-Health-Care/default.aspx
N.S.W. Department of Health
73 Miller Street North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone: (02) 9391 9000
TTY: 133 677, then ask for 02 9391 9000
Online: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
N.S.W. Consumer Advisory Group – Mental Health Inc.
Suite 501, Level 5, 80 Williams Street East Sydney NSW 2011
Phone: (02) 9332 0200
Email: info@nswcag.org.au
Online: http://www.nswcag.org.au
N.S.W. Legal Aid (Head Office)
323 Castlereagh Street Haymarket NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9219 5000
Online: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Mental Health Advocacy Service
This service is a part of Legal Aid NSW and provides legal help and advice about mental health matters.
Level 4, 74-76 Burwood Road, Burwood, NSW, 2134
Phone: (02) 9475 4277
Online: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
VICTORIA
Mental Health Complaints Commissioner
The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner (MHCC) is an independent, specialist body established under the Mental Health Act 2014 to safeguard rights, resolve complaints about Victorian public mental health services and recommend improvements.
Phone: 1800 246 054
Write to: Level 26, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Email: help@mhcc.vic.gov.au
Online: http://www.mhcc.vic.gov.au/
Consumer Affairs Victoria
They can only act on a particular dispute if a formal complaint is made. They advise and assist both consumers and businesses; however, they can only accept a formal complaint about a business or landlord, not a consumer or tenant.
Phone: 1300 55 81 81
Write to: Consumer Affairs Victoria, GPO Box 4567, Melbourne VIC 3001
Email: consumer@justice.vic.gov.au
Online: http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Ombudsman
You can complain to the Victorian Ombudsman if you are unhappy about the way you have been treated by:
- A state government department
- A specified entity, including a range of statutory authorities
- An Administrative Office
- A local council
- A private agency that carries out statutory responsibilities of government
Phone: (03) 9613 6222
Toll free: 1800 806 314
Address: Level 9, North Tower, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Email: ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Online: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/complaints/make-complaint/
Health Services Commissioner Victoria
The Health Services Commissioner (HSC) is an independent statutory authority established to receive and resolve complaints about health service providers. The HSC also handles complaints about disclosure of health information and access to health information.
Phone: (03) 9032 3111
Toll Free: 1300 582 113
Address: 30th Floor, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia
Write to: Health Services Commissioner, 30th Floor, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
Email: hsc@health.vic.gov.au
Online: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/feedback-and-complaints
Privacy Victoria
Regulates how Victorian government agencies and local councils handle personal information.
Phone: 1300 666 444
Address: Level 11, 10-16 Queen Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
Building 1 / 22 Aintree Street Brunswick East VIC 3057
Phone: (03) 9380 3900
Email: info@vmiac.org.au
Online: www.vmiac.org.au
Chief Psychiatrist Victoria
The Chief Psychiatrist has responsibility under the Mental Health Act 1986 for the medical care and welfare of persons receiving treatment or care for a mental illness.
Dr Mark Oakley Browne
Address: Level 17, 50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Vic 3000
Toll free: 1300 767 299 (local call cost from anywhere within Australia)
Phone: (03) 9096 7571
Fax: (03) 9096 7697
Mental Health Legal Centre
Free and confidential telephone advice is available on the above numbers during the following times: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Address: Building 97, RMIT, 106-108 Victoria Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053
Write to: PO Box 12365, A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 8006
Phone: (03) 9629 4422
Fax: (03) 9614 0488
Email: mhlc@mhlc.org.au
Arafemi Vic (Carer Advocates)
270 Auburn Road Hawthorn, Vic, 3122
Phone: (03) 9810 9300
Fax: (03) 9810 9399
Carer Helpline: 1300 550 265
Email: admin@arafemi.org.au
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Level 3, 204 Lygon Street Carlton, Vic, 3053.
Phone: 1300 891 848
TTY: 1300 289 621
Email: complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Online: http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ombudsman S.A.
A complaint can be made about any action or inaction by an agency within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.
Phone: 08 8226 8699
Toll free: 1800 182 150 (outside metro SA only)
Address: Level 5, East Wing, 50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, S.A., 5000
Write to: PO Box 3651 Rundle Mall SA 5000
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.sa.gov.au
Site: http://www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au/
Health and Community Services Complaint Commissioner
A complaint may be made about a public, private or non-government health or community service or provider.
Phone: 08 8226 8666
Toll free: 1800 232 007
Address: Level 4, East Wing, 50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Write to: PO Box 199 Rundle Mall SA 5000
Email: info@hcscc.gov.au
Online: http://www.hcscc.sa.gov.au
S.A. Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
Level 7, ABC Building, 85 North East Road, Collinswood, S.A., 5081
Phone: (08) 8342 8200 or Toll Free: 1800 066 969
Online: http://www.opa.sa.gov.au
Office of the Chief Psychiatrist S.A.
Dr Margaret Honeyman
P.O. Box 287, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, S.A., 5000
Phone: (08) 8226 1091
Email: ocp@health.sa.gov.au
Online: http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/
S.A. Health Consumer Alliance
Level 1, 12 Pirie Street, Adelaide, S.A., 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 4169
Email: info@hcasa.asn.au
Online: http://hcasa.asn.au
Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc.
470 Marion Road, Plympton Park, S.A., 5031
Phone: (08) 8297 3500 or Toll Free: 1800 088 325
TTY: (08) 8297 4144
Email: drigney@dacssa.org.au
Online: http://www.dacssa.org.au
Arafemi S.A. (Carer Advocates)
P.O. Box 310, Marleston, S.A., 5166
Phone: (08) 8221 5166
Email: arafmi@picknowl.com.au
Online: http://www.arafemi.org.au/
Carers S.A.
58 King Williams Road, Goodwood S.A. 5034
Phone: (08) 8271 6288 or Toll Free: 1800 815 549
Email: info@carers-sa.asn.au
Online: www.carers-sa.asn.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office
This in an independent and impartial agency. If you cannot resolve your complaint directly with the service provider, you can contact HaDSCO to discuss your concerns and find out more about the complaints resolution services they offer. All their services are confidential and free of charge.
Phone: (08) 6551 7600
Toll free: 1800 813 583
Address: Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street, Perth, W.A., 6000
Write to: PO Box B61, Perth 6000, Perth, W.A., 6838
Email: mail@hadsco.wa.gov.au
Online: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/services/detail.cfm?Unit_ID=2334
W.A. Ombudsman
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about Western Australian public authorities including: State Government departments, agencies and boards; government services such as hospitals, prisons, schools and technical colleges; public universities and; local governments.
Phone: 08 9220 7555
Toll free: 1800 117 000
Address: Level 2, Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street, PERTH, W.A., 6000
Write to: Ombudsman Western Australia, PO Box Z5386, St Georges Terrace, PERTH, W.A., 6831
Email: mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Online: http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/Complaints/Making_complaints.htm
Equal Opportunity Commission
The EOC provides a means of redress to individuals who allege unlawful discrimination. Since the Equal Opportunity Act was proclaimed 25 years ago, in 1985, the Equal Opportunity Commission has received more than 131,700 enquiries and handled nearly 12,000 complaints.
Phone: 08 9216 3900
Toll free: 1800 198149
Address: Level 2, Westralia Square, 141 St George Terrace, Perth, W.A., 6000
Write to: PO Box 7370, Cloisters Square, Perth, W.A., 6850
Email: eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au
Form: http://www.eoc.wa.gov.au/complaintsandinvestigations/ComplaintsForm.aspx
Online: www.eoc.wa.gov.au
Mental Health Tribunal
The Mental Health Tribunal is an independent decision-making body established by the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA) to safeguard the rights of involuntary patients in Western Australia.
Phone: (08) 6145 3900
Write to: Mental Health Tribunal, PO Box Z5272, Perth St Georges Tce WA 6831
Email: registry@mht.wa.gov.au
Online: https://www.mht.wa.gov.au/
Western Australia Association for Mental Health
City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth, W.A., 6005
Phone: (08) 6553 0060
Email: reception@waamh.org.au
Online: http://www.waamh.org.au/
Chief Psychiatrist Western Australia
Dr Nathan Gibson
Office of the Chief Psychiatrist
GPO Box A5 Perth Business Hub WA 6849
Phone: (08) 6553 0000
Email: Reception@ocp.wa.gov.au
Online: https://www.chiefpsychiatrist.wa.gov.au/
W.A. Mental Health Advocates and Consumers Agency
P.O. Box 33, Kelmscott, W.A., 6111
Phone: 0404 101 720 (Mr Prescott Harper)
Email: wamhaca@optusnet.com.au
Online: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/
Helping Minds (Carer Advocates)
Carer Centre, 182-188 Lord Street, Perth, W.A, 6000
Phone: (08) 9427 7100
Online: https://helpingminds.org.au/
Mental Health Law Centre
96-98 Parry Street, Perth, W.A, 6000
Phone: (08) 9328 8266
Email: office@mhlcwa.org.au
Online: http://www.mhlcwa.org.au/
Office of the Public Advocate
Level 1, 30 Terrace Road, East Perth, W.A, 6004
Phone: (08) 9278 7300
Toll Free: 1300 858 455
Online: http://www.justice.wa.gov.au
AUSTRALIA-WIDE / FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission
The Commission promotes competition and fair trade in markets to benefit consumers, businesses, and the community their primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with Australian competition, fair trading, and consumer protection laws - in particular the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Phone: 1300 302 502
Address: See link for nearest location http://www.accc.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-accc
Write to: See link for nearest postal location http://www.accc.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-accc
Online: http://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/complaints-problems/make-a-consumer-complaint
Australian Human Rights Commission
The Commission is an independent organisation that works to protect and promote the basic human rights and freedoms that all humans are entitled to.
Phone: 1300 656 419
Address: Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, SYDNEY, N.S.W., 2000
Write to: GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY, N.S.W., 2001
Email: complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au
Online: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/
National Mental Health Care Commission
The Commission acts to protect public health and safety by dealing with complaints about mental health service providers.
Phone: (02) 8229 7550
Address: Level 29, 126 Phillip Street, Sydney, 2000
Write to: PO Box R1463, Royal Exchange NSW 1225
Email: enquiries@mentalhealthcommission.gov.au
Online: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/contact
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
The Commissioner has complaint handling responsibilities under the Privacy Act 1988. Individuals can complain if they believe their privacy has been interfered with by an Australian or ACT government agency, or a private sector organisation covered by the Act. The information in this section tells you how to make a complaint, and explains the complaints process generally.
Phone: 1300 363 992
Write to: GPO Box 5218, Sydney, N.S.W., 2001 or GPO Box 2999 Canberra, A.C.T., 2601
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
Online: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints
Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency
This agency works with complaint entities in each State and Territory to make sure the appropriate organisation investigates community concerns about registered health practitioners.
Phone: 1300 419 495
Address: See link provided for nearest office location: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/Contact-Us.aspx
Write to: AHPRA, GPO Box 9958, Melbourne, VIC 3001
Online: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/
Department Of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) exists to support the Government and, through Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, to deliver on a broad range of social policy outcomes.
Phone: 1800 634 035
Write to: FaHCSIA Feedback, PO Box 7576, Canberra Business Centre, A.C.T., 2610
Online: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/contact/feedback-compliments-complaints-and-enquiries