Complaints

Our Office can receive complaints in a variety of ways, including by phone, writing and through our online complaints form. We can give you tips on how to write, submit and resolve your complaint effectively. Please be aware that the ACT Ombudsman used the Commonwealth Ombudsman web form.

Before coming to the ACT Ombudsman, it is a good idea to try and solve the problem with the agency first. Agencies are able to address your complaint and can often resolve the complaint more quickly. This gives the agency the opportunity to review or make a decision, if it has not already done so.

The ACT Ombudsman considers the way a complaint has been handled and a decision has been made by an agency. The ACT Ombudsman can then make recommendations to the Agency on how the decision or the complaints management process could be improved.

We have identified a number of common complaint areas in the ACT and can give specific information on how to navigate these complaint areas such as policing, corrections, public housing and dangerous dogs.

If you are unhappy with our service, you can request an internal review or seek external advice. We have information on how to do both.