Consumer complaint contacts
The following organisations may be able to help you when you have a dispute or complaint.
For ease of reading, we have divided it into the following categories:
This list is not exhaustive.
Consumer protection agencies
Product safety| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Product Safety Australia |
Coordinated by the ACCC, this service provides information on product safety in Australia, including banned and restricted products. It also provides up-to-date information about recalled products across Australia.
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| Recalls Australia |
ACCC service giving information on product recalls in Australia.
|
Scams| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| SCAMwatch |
ACCC service giving information on scams and how to avoid being caught out.
|
| Stay Smart Online |
Australian Government agency for online safety and security, with information about avoiding scams and identity theft.
|
International partnership| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| eConsumer
| Partnership of more than 35 consumer protection agencies around the world where you can report international scams. |
Consumer awareness| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| CHOICE | Consumer advocacy group that tests products and provides advice about food, finance and health. |
Legal services
Always get independent legal advice before you sign a contract that involves a large commitment of your time or money.
Legal service complaints| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Legal Services Commission |
Hears complaints about conduct of solicitors, barristers or law practice employees.
|
Ombudsman services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Commonwealth Ombudsman |
Australian Government agency that hears complaints against other agencies. They investigate, audit, inspect and oversee federal agencies.
|
| Queensland Ombudsman |
Independent agency that investigates complaints against public agencies (state government and local councils).
|
Specific industries
If talking to the business doesn’t work, you may be able to approach an industry organisation. This could be:
- a peak body that businesses can join as members
- an independent body that works as a mediator
- a government office that works with that industry.
Motor vehicles and petrol| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Motor Trades Association Queensland |
Industry body that handles complaints about car repairs (but only if your mechanic is a member).
|
| Department of Transport and Main Roads |
Department that handles complaints about unsafe vehicles, trailers and transport of dangerous goods.
|
| Tolling Customer Ombudsman |
Organisation that provides free and independent alternative dispute resolution service for customers and Queensland’s toll road operators.
|
| Fuel price monitoring |
ACCC service that monitors the price of fuel products and handles complaints about anti-competitive conduct (such as price fixing).
|
| Fuel quality monitoring |
Australian Government service that handles enquiries about fuel quality.
|
Workplace services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Workplace Health and Safety Queensland |
Regulator of workplace health and safety, as well as the safety of amusement rides, and industrial and construction equipment.
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| Fair Work Ombudsman |
The national workplace relations regulator, dealing with pay, leave, employment conditions, awards and workplace laws.
|
| Queensland Industrial Relations Commission |
Commission that decides trading hours outside the minimum allowable hours. Including public holidays and for special displays and exhibitions, such as home shows and expos.
|
Telephones, internet services and pay television| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Do Not Call Register |
Australian Government service that lets you register to avoid getting unsolicited phone calls from telemarketers.
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| Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman |
Independent mediator for resolving complaints about phone and internet services, including disputes about billing and property access
|
| Australian Communications and Media Authority |
Australian Government body which accepts complaints about television (including pay TV) content.
|
Advertising and marketing| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Australian Direct Marketing Association |
Industry body that handles complaints about direct marketing, such as telemarketing, door-to-door sales and unsolicited mail.
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| Advertising Standards Bureau |
Industry body that hears complaints about discrimination, sexuality, language and violence in advertising and helps the industry regulate itself.
|
Medical services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Queensland Health complaints |
Hears complaints about hospitals and other public medical services
|
| Safe Food Queensland
|
Organisation that regulates the primary production and processing of meat, eggs, dairy and seafood in Queensland. It also ensures Queensland's food production systems meet national food safety standards.
|
| Office of the Health Ombudsman | Independent statutory body that hears complaints about a health service provider or a health service provided to consumers, their family or someone in their care. |
Travel services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Airline Consumer Advocate |
Independent service that hears complaints about air travel services from the major domestic airlines
|
Training services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) |
Monitors training providers and takes complaints on training and assessment products, outcomes and services provided by training organisations.
|
| Queensland Training Ombudsman |
Provides a free, confidential, and independent service to review and resolve enquiries and complaints from apprentices, trainees, student, employers and other parties about the vocational education and training system in Queensland.
|
Veterinary services| Organisation | Role |
|---|
| Veterinary Surgeons Board |
An information service to consumers and veterinarians on the conduct of veterinary science in Queensland. |
