If you live, work or study in the Australian Capital Territory, there are a number of oversight bodies that may be able to assist you if you have a complaint about a government agency, or the provision of a public service.
You should try to make a complaint directly to the relevant organisation first, as they may be able to resolve your issue more quickly. Our website has some tips and advice on how to do this effectively.
If this is not successful, you feel uncomfortable or are unable to approach the agency directly, the table below is designed to help you seek further assistance to resolve your complaint in the ACT.
You can also talk to us at the ACT Ombudsman if you are unsure about who to approach. We will try and help direct you to the right place.
If you are unsure who to contact, call us on 02 6276 3773 and we will help you identify the appropriate organisation.
Organisations who can help with your complaint
The following guide outlines organisations who can help you with your complaint in the ACT.
Complaint | Topic | Who to complain to |
Aged care | Respite, home maintenance | |
Aged care facilities | ||
| Aviation | Airlines | Airline Customer Advocate |
| Aircraft noise | Aircraft Noise Ombudsman | |
Bullying | In the workplace | |
Children and youth | Accommodation | |
Education | ||
Abuse and misconduct | ACT Ombudsman | |
Consumer goods | Consumer law | |
Online shopping, misleading claims | Australian Competition and Consumer Commission | |
| Corruption | ACT Policing | Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity |
| ACT Government | ACT Integrity Commission | |
Defence Force | Administrative matters, abuse | |
Disability services | Home help, respite, accommodation, education | |
Discrimination | Accommodation, housing, education, employment, transport etc | |
| ACT Policing | Australian Human Rights Commission | |
Education | Tertiary education: CIT, UC | ACT Ombudsman |
Private education | ||
VET student loans, VET Fee-Help loans | ||
Primary, secondary education | ||
Environment | ACT environment and sustainability | |
Energy | ACTEWAGL, Energy Australia | |
Finance | Banks, superannuation | |
Health | Hospitals, medical centres doctors, nurses, | |
Health insurance | ||
| Housing | Real estate agents | Access Canberra |
| Tenancy and rental issues | Legal Aid ACT | |
Immigration | Visa’s, detention, customs | |
| Insurance | Home and contents, car, travel, ticket, pet, medical indemnity, sickness and accident, strata title, small business, farm and life insurance | Australian Financial Complaints Authority |
| Private health insurance | Commonwealth Ombudsman | |
| Workers compensation | Fair Work Ombudsman | |
Overseas students | Complaints about private education providers | |
| Pets | Dangerous dogs | Access Canberra |
Police and legal system | ACT Lawyers | ACT Law Society |
ACT police | ||
ACT Judges | ||
Postal operator | Australia Post, Star Track etc | |
Privacy | Privacy | |
Telecommunications | Telephone, mobile, internet | |
Transport | Action buses ACT light rail | ACT Ombudsman |
Water | ICON Water | |
Whistleblowing | Public interest disclosures about an ACT government agency | |
Complaints about the Public Sector Standards Commission response to a public interest disclosure | ACT Ombudsman | |
Workplace rights | Workplace rights for young people | |
Veterinary services | ACT veterinary services | |
Victims of Crime | Victims of crime |