Before making a complaint to us you are encouraged to take all possible steps to resolve your concerns directly with the relevant department.
Many government authorities have internal enquiry, complaint, appeal or review processes that give you the chance to ask about or challenge an action or decision. Unless there are valid reasons why you do not wish, or are unable, to approach the agency to discuss your concern, you should raise any concerns you have through internal agency processes before making a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Many public authorities provide specific Complaints or Feedback pages on their websites. Others provide information about making complaints in their About Us section. Sometimes, this information is included in a Service Charter or a policy/procedure for complaint handling.
For information about some of the internal feedback, complaint, appeal and review mechanisms in place in government authorities see our Agency Complaints Contacts
We will not normally investigate a complaint until you have exhausted all regular avenues of appeal or review available. We will assist you to make contact with the appropriate person within a department if needed.
Complaints concerning the conduct of members of the Northern Territory Police are not subject to the same restrictions. The Ombudsman Act specifically requires both the Commissioner of Police and the Ombudsman to notify each other of the details of any complaint they receive. The complaint will then be handled dependent on its seriousness.