Public sector agencies

• What public agencies can you complain to us about?
• What conduct can you complain to us about?
• How do you make a complaint about a public agency?

 What public agencies can you complain to us about?

Under the Ombudsman Act, we are given jurisdiction to investigate the conduct of NSW public authorities. The term public authority, as defined in section 5(1) of the Act, covers virtually every NSW government department, statutory authority and instrumentality.

However, certain public authorities are excluded from our jurisdiction as specified in Schedule 1 of the Act.

Click here to get more information about public agencies you cannot complain to us about.

 What conduct can you complain to us about?

Any person has a right to complain about the conduct of a public authority. Conduct is defined in section 5(1) of the Act as any action or inaction relating to a matter of administration and any alleged action or inaction relating to a matter of administration.

We cannot investigate complaints about private individuals or businesses, the actions of Commonwealth government agencies or the public authorities of other states.

Click here for a comprehensive list of other complaint handling bodies.

 How do you make a complaint about a public agency?

Click here to find out about how to make a complaint.