Make a complaint
Learn how to make a human rights or discrimination complaint to the Commission and what to expect from the process.
About the complaints process
We inquire into and help resolve complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights.
Making a complaint about discrimination and breaches of human rights is simple, free and flexible
Do you need a lawyer? No, you don't need a lawyer to make a complaint, but you can choose to get legal or advocacy support.
Download our complaint form
We are currently experiencing a significant delay in actioning complaints.
To help us to deal with your complaint in an effective and timely manner, we ask you keep your complaint to one document of no more than 20 pages with no attachments. You can use our complaint form to help you make your complaint.
You can make a complaint no matter where you live in Australia.
We can only accept written complaints. To lodge a complaint, please download our complaint form and return it to the Commission by email or post.
Please note that we do not accept information provided by links or drop boxes.
Privacy collection
Learn about what information we gather, how we use it to assess and resolve complaints, and when it may be shared with others.
Download our privacy collection notice.
Auslan: Information about making a complaint
Steps to making a complaint
The first step in making a complaint is understanding the process and how we can support you.
- You can make a complaint no matter where you live in Australia.
- It doesn't cost anything to make a complaint, and you don't need a lawyer to make a complaint.
- If you are unsure if you can make a complaint about something, you can contact the Commission's National Information Service by phone on 1300 656 419 or by email at infoservice@humanrights.gov.au. If we can't help you, we will try to refer you to someone who can.
- We can only accept written complaints.
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Step 1: Check if we can help with your complaint
Start by reviewing the types of complaints that we handle - such as those related to race, sex, disability, age, or human rights breaches by the Commonwealth. -
Step 2: Gather the information you need
You should gather all relevant details about the incident, including what happened, when and where it occurred, and who was involved. -
Step 3: Submit your complaint
You can submit a complaint to us by downloading a form and filling it out, then sending it via email or post. There’s no fee.
Complaints and guides
Complaint areas
Guides
What happens next?
When we are ready to progress the complaint, we will contact you or your representative about it.
We will then contact the person or organisation about which you are making the complaint.
We provide them with a copy of the complaint and give them the right to reply.
What happens after we receive a complaint?
After receiving a complaint we'll:
- action it as soon as we can
- contact you
- contact the person or organisation involved
- give the person or organisation involved the right to reply.
Please note that due to an increase in complaints received by the Commission, there may be a significant delay in actioning complaints. We will try to action complaints as soon as possible.
Common questions
How do you try to get a resolution?
Our role is to assist the parties to consider different options to resolve the complaint and provide information about possible terms of settlement, through a process called conciliation.
Learn more about how conciliation works.
What happens if the complaint is not resolved?
If your complaint isn't resolved, we may ask for more information before making a final decision.
If your complaint is terminated, you might be able to take it to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or the Federal Court of Australia. You'll need to apply within 60 days. In some cases, you may need the court's permission first before you can apply.
The Commission can't take the matter to court for you or help you present your case. You may need to speak with a lawyer or a legal service.
Do we inquire into all complaints?
The short answer is no. Sometimes we might decide not to inquire into a complaint, or we may decide to stop in the middle of the process. If this happens, we will explain why.
Complaint guides
Complaint areas
You can make a complaint no matter where you live in Australia. Each type of complaint has its own process. Learn about the process for your complaint.
Conciliation: How it works
Find out how we conciliate complaints about alleged breaches of anti-discrimination laws.
Complaints forms and guides
We can look into complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights.
Responding to a complaint
Find out what you can do to respond to a complaint about a possible breach of anti-discrimination laws.
Contact us
There are a number of different ways to contact us if you need help or guidance.
