Contents
Federal, State/Territory Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Commissions
State/Territory Disability & Health Services Complaints Handling Agencies
Federal, State/Territory Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Commissions
NATIONAL
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (National)
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is a national independent
statutory government body. The Commission is administered by the President, who is
the Chief Executive Officer. He is assisted by the Human Rights, Race, Sex, Disability
and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioners. HREOC has responsibilities
for inquiring into alleged infringements under five anti-discrimination laws - the Racial Discrimination
Act; the Sex Discrimination Act; the Disability Discrimination Act; the Age Discrimination Act; and the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. Matters which can be investigated by the Commission
include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour or ethnic origin, racial vilification, sex, sexual
harassment, marital status, pregnancy, or disability. Human Rights education is one of the core
responsibilities of the Commission along with the investigation and attempted resolution of complaints
about breaches of human rights and anti-discrimination legislation.
Level 8, Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9284 9600
Complaints Infoline: 1300 656 419
Privacy Hotline: 1300 363 992
General enquiries and publications: 1300 369 711
TTY: 1800 620 241
Fax: 02 9284 9611
Email: paffairs@humanrights.gov.au
Web: www.hreoc.gov.au
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Human Rights Office
The ACT Human Rights Office is a small, independent office which is headed by the ACT Human
Rights and Discrimination Commissioner. Our job is to promote human rights in the ACT by
administering the Discrimination Act 1991 and the ACT Human Rights Act.
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Ph: 02 6207 0576
Fax: 02 6207 0587
TTY: 02 6207 0525
Email: human.rights@act.gov.au
Web: www.hro.act.gov.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
Anti-Discrimination Board
The Anti-Discrimination Board was set up in 1977 to administer the Anti-Discrimination Act. It investigates
and conciliates complaints of discrimination, harassment and vilification. The Board is impartial in this
process. It does not take sides. The Board tries to help both parties involved come to an agreement about
how the problem can be resolved. It informs and educates the people of NSW, employers and service providers
about their rights and responsibilities under anti-discrimination law. It makes recommendations to the
government about amendments to anti-discrimination law.
PO Box A2122
SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235
Ph: 02 9268 5555 or Toll free: 1800 670 812
TTY: 02 9268 5522
Fax: 02 9268 5500
Web: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adb
QUEENSLAND
Anti-Discrimination Commission
The Anti-Discrimination Commission is the organisation which administers the Queensland Anti-Discrimination
Act 1991.We work to promote equality of opportunity and to protect people from unlawful discrimination,
sexual harassment and public vilification. There are two main ways we do this - one is by handling complaints
from people, and the other is by informing people about discrimination issues. The Commission has offices in
Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
PO Box 2122
MILTON QLD 4064
Ph: 07 3247 0900 Toll Free: 1300 130 670
TTY: 1300 130 680
Fax: 07 3247 0960
Email: info@adcq.qld.gov.au
Web: www.adcq.qld.gov.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Anti-Discrimination Commission
The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission is an independent, impartial body that investigates
and helps resolve complaints about discrimination and harassment. The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination
Commission also provides training and education about Anti-Discrimination and Diversity policies to businesses,
government departments, schools and individuals.
LMB 22 GPO
DARWIN NT 0801
Ph: 08 8999 1444 or Freecall: 1800 813 846
Fax: 08 8981 3812
TTY: 08 8999 1466
Email: administrationadc@nt.gov.au
Web: www.nt.gov.au/justice/adc/
VICTORIA
Equal Opportunity Commission
The Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria helps people resolve complaints of discrimination,
sexual harassment and racial and religious vilification by offering a conciliation process that is:
confidential; impartial; free; and simple. In addition to our complaint resolution service, we offer
information, education and consultancy services, conduct research and provide legal and policy advice.
The Commission is a statutory body that reports to the Victorian Parliament through the State Attorney-General.
Level 3, 380 Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9281 7111 or Toll free: 1800 134 142
TTY: 03 9281 7110
Email: eoc@vicnet.net.au
Web: www.equalopportunitycommission.vic.gov.au
TASMANIA
Anti-Discrimination Commission
The Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner co-operates with all Tasmanians in working towards a world
where discrimination, prejudice, bias and prohibited conduct are indicators of a history that is no longer
with us. The Commissioner administers the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998. The Anti-Discrimination
Commissioner has a number of functions, including: the investigation of complaints; inquiring into discrimination
and prohibited conduct and their effects; the dissemination of information; undertaking research and educational
programs; promoting the recognition and approval of acceptable attitudes, acts and practices.
GPO Box 197
HOBART TAS 7001
Ph: 03 6233 4841 or Freecall: 1300 305 062
Fax: 03 6233 5333
TTY: 03 6223 6234
Email: AntiDiscrimination@justice.tas.gov.au
Web: www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Equal Opportunity Commission
The Equal Opportunity Commission promotes equality of opportunity for all South Australians through the
administration of anti-discrimination legislation. The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA) is an 'Act to promote
equality of opportunity between the citizens of this State; to prevent certain kinds of discrimination based
on sex, sexuality, marital status, pregnancy, race, physical or intellectual impairment or age; to facilitate
the participation of citizens in the economic and social life of the community; and to deal with other related
matters'.
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Ph: 08 8207 1977 or Toll free: 1800 188 163
TTY: 08 8207 1911
Fax: 08 8207 2090
Email: eoc@agd.sa.gov.au
Web: www.eoc.sa.gov.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Equal Opportunity Commission
The Equal Opportunity Commission has two major roles. The first is to encourage recognition and an understanding
of the principles of equal opportunity. Laws alone do not end intolerance, prejudice and discrimination in our
community - so education is a vital part of the Commission's function. The second is to provide a means of
redress to individuals who allege unlawful discrimination.
Level 2, Hartleys Building
141 St George's Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Ph: 08 9216 3900 or Freecall: 1800 198 149
TTY: 08 9216 3936
Fax: 08 9216 3960
Email: eoc@equalopportunity.wa.gov.au
Web: www.equalopportunity.wa.gov.au
State/Territory Disability & Health Services Complaints Handling Agencies
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
The Health care Complaints Commission acts in the public interest by reviewing, resolving and investigating
complaints about health care with the view of maintaining, promoting and improving health standards and the
quality of health care.
Locked Mail Bag 18
STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
Ph: (02) 92197444 or 1800043159
TTY: (02) 92197555
Fax: (02) 92814585
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.hccc.nsw.gov.au
NSW Ombudsman Community Services Complaints
We have the power to deal with complaints about most community service organisations in NSW, and specifically:
NSW Department of Community Services; NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care; and Services funded
by the Minister for Community Services, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services. We give
priority to complaints from those who are most vulnerable and least able to protect their own interests,
particularly those in the care of service providers, such as: people with disabilities; children and young people.
Level 24, 580 George Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9286 1000 or Toll free: 1800 451 524
Fax: 02 9283 2911
TTY: 02 9264 8050
Email: nswombo@nswombudsman.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.nswombudsman.nsw.gov.au/complaints/index.html
VICTORIA
Victorian Health Services Commissioner
The Office of the Health Services Commissioner (HSC) is an independent, impartial statutory
authority whose role is to resolve complaints against health care providers operating in Victoria.
The HSC also protects the privacy of individuals' health information and the rights of individuals
to access their health information held by any person or organisation in Victoria. The service is
free and confidential.
30th Floor, 570 Bourke Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 86015200 (Complaints Line) or Ph: 1800136066
Ph: (03) 86015222 (Administration)
TTY: 1300550275
Fax: (03) 86015219
Email: hsc@dhs.vic.gov.au
Web: www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc
QUEENSLAND
Queensland Health Rights Commission
The Commission resolves complaints about health service providers operating in Queensland. Complaints
may be investigated, resolved informally, conciliated, or referred to registration boards or other
appropriate agencies.
GPO Box 3089
BRISBANE QLD 4000
Ph: (07) 32340272 or Ph: 1800077308
TTY: (07) 32252559
Fax: (07) 32340333
Web: www.hrc.qld.gov.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Office of Health Review (WA)
The Office of Health Review (WA) is an independent statutory body whose role is to investigate complaints
about public and private health and disability service providers in Western Australia; Complaints can be
conciliated or investigated and appropriate remedies negotiated between parties. The office an also make
recommendations for improvements to practice and procedures to health service providers. The service is free.
PO Box B62
PERTH WA 6838
Ph: (08) 93230600
Fax: (08) 92213675
Email: officehealthreview@health.wa.gov.au
Web: www.healthreview.wa.gov.au
Health Consumers' Council (WA)
The Health Consumers' Council (WA) is an independent Community based non-profit organisation.
The Council advocates on behalf of consumers to the health sector, including but not limited to
medical practitioners, hospitals, health services, dentists, pharmaceutical industry and government.
The key activities of the Health Consumers' Council are: individual and system wide health advocacy
(which may include assistance with a complaint), recruiting, training and maintaining consumer
representatives on local, state and national health committees and policy and legislation review
from consumer/patient perspective.
GPO Box C134
PERTH WA 6839
Ph: (08) 92213422 or Ph: 1800620780
Fax: (08) 92215435
Email: hconc@iinet.net.au
Web: www.hcc-wa.global.net.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australian State Ombudsman
The South Australian Ombudsman can assist you with your complaint about the administrative actions of a
State government agency or authority, local government council or a public hospital or health service,
and review government agencies' decisions about Freedom of Information.
5th Floor, East Wing
50 Grenfell Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Ph: (08) 82268699 or Ph: 1800182150
Fax: (08) 82268602
Email: ombudsman@agd.sa,gov.au
Web: www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au
SA Health Consumer Support Office
The Health Consumer Support Office provides information and advisory services aimed at protecting and providing
assistance to consumers of health services and their relatives, including referral to appropriate health
agencies where applicable.
3rd Floor, City Centre
11 Hindmarsh Square
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Ph: (08) 82266550 or Ph: 1800188115
Fax: (08) 82266609
TASMANIA
Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner
The Health Complaints Act 1995 established an independent statutory body to receive and respond to health
complaints in a fair, unbiased and impartial manner. The Health Complaints Commissioner provides people
with an independent mechanism for resolving complaints between users and providers of public and private
health services.
GPO Box 960
HOBART TAS 7001
Ph: 1300 766 725
Fax: (03) 62338966
Email: health.complaints@justice.tas.gov.au
Web: www.healthcomplaints.tas.gov.au
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ACT Community and Health Services Complaints Commissioner
The Commissioner handles complaints about services provided to the aged, people with a disability and their
carers and consumers of any health services provided in the Australian Capital Territory.
PO Box 977
CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608
Ph: (02) 62052222
TTY: (02) 62051666
Fax: (02) 62071034
Email: health.complaints@act.gov.au
Web: www.healthcomplaints.act.gov.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
NT Commissioner for Health and Community Services Complaints
The Health and Community Services Complaints Commission is an independant statutory body, co-located
within the Office of the Ombudsman for the Northern Territory. The Commissioner assists in resolving
problems between consumers and providers of health services.
GPO Box 1344
DARWIN NT 0801
Ph: (08) 89991818 or 1800 806 380
Fax: (08) 89991828
Email: hcscc.omb@nt.gov.au
Web: www.nt.gov.au/omb_hcscc/hcscc/index.htm
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