Introduction
If you have an issue with a NSW government agency the first step is to contact them and try to resolve the matter.
If you’re unable to resolve your issue or if you do not feel safe making a complaint to the agency, you can submit a form to the NSW Ombudsman online.
The NSW Ombudsman:
- is independent of the government. Their role is to ensure that state agencies and their staff do their jobs properly and meet their responsibilities to the community
- handles complaints about most NSW government departments and agencies, local councils in NSW and community service providers.
Eligibility
You can use the online complaints form if you've already contacted the NSW agency you're making the complaint about.
What you need
- name of the NSW agency your complaint is about
- details of your complaint
- details of what happened after you contacted the agency
- how you see the complaint being resolved
- up to 3 documents of evidence to support your complaint (such as correspondence with the agency).
How to make a complaint
- Check if the NSW Ombudsman can handle your complaint.
- Select the 'Make a complaint' button.
- Follow the prompts to complete the form.
- Upload your supporting documents.
- Submit your form.
Note: You cannot save and resume your application once you've started.
The NSW Ombudsman will contact you within 2 weeks with an update, and hope to finalise most complaints within 30 days.
More information
The NSW Ombudsman cannot help with complaints about Centrelink (Services Australia), Australian Tax Office (ATO), electricity, gas, water and phone companies, and other private businesses.