Ombudsman Western Australia

What you can complain about

If you think you have been treated unfairly by a Western Australian State Government agency, statutory authority, a local government or public university, we may be able to help you.

Who you can complain to us about

With some exceptions, the Ombudsman can investigate complaints about:

• State Government departments, statutory authorities, boards and corporations;
• The Western Australia Police and its members, where the complaint relates to a matter of administration. The Corruption and Crime Commission deals with other complaints about the Western Australia Police;
• Local governments (cities, towns and shires);
• Public universities including The University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University; and
• Many other public sector bodies and office holders.

What you can complain to us about

You can complain about any decision, action or inaction by any of the bodies within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction but only if:

• The complaint is related to a matter of administration - the decision making practices and actions of public authorities in providing their services to the public; and
• The matter affects you personally.

In certain circumstances we can receive complaints from a representative of the person affected. Find out more information about using representatives on the Making your complaint page.

What you cannot complain to us about

There are some things we are unable to help you with. The Ombudsman cannot deal with complaints about:

• Private individuals or businesses (like banks, finance companies and shops);
• Complaints about electricity and gas providers, which are the jurisdiction of the Energy and Water Ombudsman;
• Parliament, its committees, members and staff;
• Judges, magistrates or coroners;
• Courts and the State Administrative Tribunal;
• Commissioners of any court;
• The Governor and members of the Governor's establishment;
• Decisions made by Cabinet or by Ministers of the Crown; and
• Those bodies listed in the Schedule 1 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971.

Unless there are special circumstances, the Ombudsman cannot investigate:

• Complaints more than 12 months old; or
• Complaints which you can take to a court or tribunal.