Making a Complaint about a Disability Service
What disability services can be complained about?
Complaints may be made about any service provider who is providing a disability service, this includes non-government or private organisations, public authorities providing disability services, or the Disability Services Commission.
Disability services are any services provided specifically to people with disabilities.
These may include such things as:
- Accommodation
- In-home support
- Respite services (in-home and residential)
- Therapy services
- Employment services (other than those funded by the Commonwealth)
- Day activities
- Recreation and leisure services
- Advocacy services
Who can make a complaint?
A complaint with our office may be lodged by:
- A person with a disability;
- A recognised advocate of a person with a disability; or
- A carer, of a person with a disability, but only about a failure to comply with the Carers Charter under the Carers Recognition Act 2004.
What may be included in a complaint?
You can complain if you believe a disability service provider has acted unreasonably by:
- Providing or not providing a disability service;
- The manner of the provision of a disability service;
- Denying or restricting access to records;
- Disclosing records or confidential information;
- Failure to comply with the Carers Charter; or
- The Disability Services Commission making or not making a grant of funds.
Staff are available to assist you in completing a complaint form.
If you are unable to make a complaint yourself, you may ask someone to make it on your behalf.
Information about the Office of Health Review is available on audio tape and in braille, and is available on request from our office.
Time Limit
Disability complaints must be made within 24 months of the date the service being complained about was provided. Some discretion exists if there is a good reason for the delay.
Submit a Complaint
Click here for information on submitting a complaint to our office.
