Our Team

The Western Australian Ombudsman has a team of approximately 85 staff who provide a responsive, efficient and effective service to our clients, treating them professionally, courteously and with appropriate sensitivity.

The Corporate Executive

The Corporate Executive is comprised of:

  • Chris Field, Ombudsman - Read about the Ombudsman
  • Deputy Ombudsman
  • Principal Assistant Ombudsman
  • Head of the Office of the Ombudsman and President 
  • Senior Assistant Ombudsman Operations
  • Senior Assistant Ombudsman Own Motion Investigations and Monitoring
  • Senior Assistant Ombudsman Reviews
  • Assistant Ombudsman Aboriginal Engagement and Collaboration
  • Assistant Ombudsman, Assessment and Resolution
  • Assistant Ombudsman, Energy and Water  
  • Assistant Ombudsman, Investigations and Resolution
  • Assistant Ombudsman, Own Motion Investigations
  • Assistant Ombudsman, Reportable Conduct

The Role of the Corporate Executive

The Corporate Executive’s role is to:

  • Provide leadership to staff and model the Office’s values;
  • Set and monitor the strategic direction of the Office and monitor and discuss emerging issues of relevance to the work of the Ombudsman;
  • Monitor performance, set priorities and targets for future performance; and
  • Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and corporate policies.

Team Responsibilities

  • The Office of the Ombudsman and President is responsible for national and international relations, executive services to the Ombudsman, corporate communications and strategic research, policy and projects.
  • The Intake Team has responsibility for handling enquiries, receiving and assessing complaints and undertaking the early resolution of complaints, where appropriate.
  • The Early Resolution Team undertakes the early resolution of complaints through informal investigations.
  • The Investigations Team handles the investigation of complaints that are lengthy or complex.
  • The Reviews Team reviews certain child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities, identifies patterns and trends arising from these reviews and makes recommendations to relevant public authorities to prevent or reduce these deaths.
  • The Own Motion Investigations Team undertakes own motion investigations and other strategies aimed at improving public administration.
  • The Monitoring Team undertakes the inspecting, monitoring, and reporting functions as outlined in specific legislation. This includes:
  • - the inspection of records relating to telecommunication interceptions;

    - monitoring the exercise of police powers as outlined in legislation relating to unlawful consorting notices, prohibited insignia, and consorting contrary to dispersal notices; and

    - keeping under scrutiny the operation of, and the exercise of powers as required by legislation relating to protected entertainment precincts.

  • The Aboriginal Engagement and Collaboration Team provides expert advice and support to each of the Ombudsman’s functions including continuing to promote high levels of awareness and accessibility for Aboriginal Western Australians to the Office.
  • The Operations Teams are responsible for Finance, Information Technology, Records and Reception, Human Resources and Executive Services. These teams support the Office in providing governance, business services, ensuring integrity and compliance of corporate services and are responsible for community outreach and engagement programs and publications.
  • The Reportable Conduct Team monitors, oversees and reviews investigations undertaken by organisations into allegations of, and convictions for, abuse of children involving any of the organisation’s employees.
  • The Charitable Trusts Team investigates complaints about charitable trusts and undertakes investigations as required.
  • The Special Investigations and Legal Services Team handles the investigation of more complex allegations and complaints and provides legal services across the Office.
  • The Energy and Water Ombudsman Team has responsibility for handling enquiries and receiving, investigating and resolving complaints about electricity, gas and water services providers.