Making your complaint

1. Complain to the public authority first

Before contacting us, contact the agency or organisation you are having issues with. They can usually address your complaint quickly. You can contact us if you are unhappy with their response or they take too long.

2. Not sure if we can help? Call us

We encourage you to call us before you make your complaint. Then we can tell you if we can help. We will tell you the right place to go if we can’t help with your complaint.

Freecall: 1800 117 000

Phone: (08) 9220 7555

3. Make your complaint

What are you complaining about?

State Government departments and authorities

We can help with complaints about Western Australian Government departments and authorities. This includes child protection, public housing, justice, schools and TAFE, public transport, vehicle and driver’s licensing, roads, police and many other public services.

We need to receive your complaint in writing. You can use our online complaint form or use email or post.

Online complaint form

If you email us or use post, you can download our printable Complaint Form

Local government (shire, town, city)

We need to receive your complaint in writing. You can use our online complaint form or use email or post.

Online complaint form

If you email us or use post, you can download our printable Complaint Form

Centrelink, NDIS and other Australian Government agencies

The Commonwealth Ombudsman takes complaints about Australian Government agencies such as Services Australia, NDIS, The Australian Federal Police, immigration and detention.

Go to www.ombudsman.gov.au

Health services

The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HADSCO) takes complaints about health, mental health and disability services (not covered by NDIS). This includes registered and unregistered health practitioners, public and private hospitals, health centres, alternative health services like massage therapists and naturopaths.

Go to www.HADSCO.wa.gov.au

Sometimes we can take a complaint about a public health service where HADSCO is unable to assist. We can also take a complaint about HADSCO. We need to receive your complaint in writing. You can use our online complaint form or use email or post.

Online complaint form

If you email us or use post, you can download our printable Complaint Form

Universities

The National Student Ombudsman takes complaints from students about higher education providers such as universities.

Go to www.NSO.gov.au

Internet, NBN, phone

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) takes complaints about phone and internet.

Go to www.TIO.com.au

Banks, insurance, financial services

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) takes complaints about financial services including banks, insurance, credit and loans, and superannuation.

Go to www.AFCA.org.au

A business or tradesperson

Consumer Protection provide advice about problems with shops, trades, real estate agents, motor vehicles and a range of other businesses.

Consumer Protection is a division of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, provides information and advice to consumers, shops and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. They can help consumers resolve disputes with shops and businesses and investigate complaints about unfair trading practices.

Go to www.ConsumerProtection.wa.gov.au

 

What to include in your complaint

Briefly explain your complaint and include details such as:

  • Who you are complaining about;
  • What you think has gone wrong;
  • Times and dates;
  • How you have been affected by the issue you are complaining about;
  • Details of telephone conversations and meetings;
  • Copies of relevant documents (eg letters);
  • The names of people you have dealt with;
  • What you have done to try resolve the issue; and
  • The outcome you are seeking.

If you need help to write down your complaint, our Enquiries Officers can assist you. Contact us on (08) 9220 7555 or Freecall 1800 117 000.

Representatives

In most cases the Ombudsman can only deal with complaints from the person who is personally affected by a decision or action taken by an agency. However, if for any reason you are unable to act for yourself the Ombudsman may accept a complaint form from:

  • A legal or other adviser;
  • Advocates such as housing advocates, financial counsellors and family violence support workers; or
  • A family member or other personal representative.

The Ombudsman may ask the person affected to confirm in writing that they are happy for the representative to act for them. See the Reasons for Representation Form.