If you believe you have experienced unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation, you can complain to us.

There is no cost in making a complaint of discrimination.

Making a complaint factsheet (PDF, 107.7 KB)

Easy Read guide to making a complaint
(PDF, 685.7 KB)

What you'll need

If you decide to lodge a complaint you need to:

  • provide your complaint in writing - this can be in your preferred language - it should be no longer than 5 pages.
  • explain what has happened and why you think it is discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation.
  • identify the place or area of public life where it occurred.
  • if your complaint relates to discrimination, identify the grounds or personal attributes it relates to.
  • include details about the organisation or person you believe has discriminated against you.
  • attach copies of any relevant documentation to help us understand your complaint.
  • outlined the remedies you seek to resolve your complaint.

You will need to send your complaint within 12 months of the last act of discrimination.

You can also lodge a complaint on behalf of someone else, as long as you have their written and signed consent (this may be a power of attorney if they are unable to sign for themselves).

A parent or guardian can also make a complaint on behalf of a child or person with an intellectual disability.

The Commissioner does not have enforcement powers.

The Commissioner is unable to impose sanctions on any individual or business (such as a prosecution, financial penalty or suspension of a licence to operate). The Commissioner will remain independent in any dispute. The parties to a dispute must jointly decide the terms of any potential resolution.

Learn more about the complaint process.

How to make a complaint to us

You can submit a complaint in one of three ways:

  1. Submit a Complaint Form online.
  2. Print a complaint form (DOCX, 198.1 KB), fill it in and post or fax it to us.
  3. Fill out complaint form (PDF, 321.3 KB) and either post it to us or email as an attachment.

Learn more about what happens to your complaint once we receive it.

Other complaint pathways

You may prefer to make a report directly to the business involved. This gives them the opportunity to remedy the situation without our involvement.

If the situation does not improve, you can still make a formal complaint to us.

We provide several ways for you to report discrimination and harassment directly to a business, including: