Victorian Ombudsman

Victorian Ombudsman We promote fairness, integrity and respect for human rights. We hold the Victorian public sector accountable to the people of Victoria.

To lodge your complaint online, visit our website. The Victorian Ombudsman takes complaints about Victorian local councils, and State Government departments and agencies. This is a free, fair and independent service. The office also looks at whether people’s human rights have been respected and protected. The Ombudsman can also start investigations into government bodies in the public interest, ev

en without a complaint. The Victorian Ombudsman is Deborah Glass OBE. She was appointed in March 2014 for a term of 10 years. Deborah is committed to ensuring fair and reasonable decision making in the Victorian public sector, and to improving public administration. She holds a firm belief in public sector integrity and the protection of human rights. Deborah was raised in Melbourne where she studied law at Monash University. She worked in banking and regulation in Switzerland and Hong Kong before moving to the United Kingdom. In 2001, she joined the UK Police Complaints Authority, and in 2004 became a Commissioner with the new Independent Police Complaints Commission of England and Wales (IPCC). She was the Commissioner responsible for London, and for many high profile criminal and misconduct investigations into police conduct. Deborah was appointed IPCC Deputy Chair in 2008, carrying operational responsibility for the IPCC's regional Commissioners, and was awarded an OBE for her service in the New Year Honours List in 2012. She is also a member of the Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association (ANZOA).

Have a problem with a service? We’re here to help.Come along next Tuesday and speak directly with representatives from t...
04/06/2026

Have a problem with a service? We’re here to help.

Come along next Tuesday and speak directly with representatives from the Victorian Ombudsman, Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) and Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). Get free, independent advice on issues relating to government services, energy, water and telecommunications.

🗓Tuesday, 9 June 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Pangerang Community Hub, 38 Ovens Street, Wangaratta VIC

Ask questions about your rights, get help resolving complaints and learn how Ombudsman services can support you.

The event is free, confidential, and open to everyone. No appointment required. Tea and coffee provided.

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme, ‘All in for Reconciliation’ calls on all A...
27/05/2026

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme, ‘All in for Reconciliation’ calls on all Australians to commit to reconciliation every single day. The theme reminds us that reconciliation and advancing First Peoples’ rights is everyone’s responsibility. Through listening, learning and meaningful action, we all have a role to play in building a fair and inclusive future for all.

The dates for Reconciliation Week mark two key milestones: the 27 May 1967 referendum that recognised First Peoples as part of the Australian population; and the 3 June 1992 High Court Mabo decision which inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law.

At the Victorian Ombudsman, we are committed to upholding the rights of First Peoples in their interactions with the State. We reaffirm our dedication to promoting equity, elevating voices that are too often unheard, and fostering culturally safe environments within our organisation and throughout the communities we serve.

Artwork: Maddison Laws, Biyala (‘gum tree’ in Yorta Yorta)

Today we recognise National Sorry Day, remembering the Stolen Generations and acknowledging the deep and ongoing impact ...
26/05/2026

Today we recognise National Sorry Day, remembering the Stolen Generations and acknowledging the deep and ongoing impact of past policies on First Peoples. Up to the 1970s, race-based government policies saw thousands of First Peoples children forcibly removed from their families and communities. Many experienced neglect, abuse and exploitative labour, and this period resulted in intergenerational disruptions to culture, community and family connections that continue to be felt today.

We are proud to share some artwork by VO team member Maddison Laws. The piece is titled Borrinyu, meaning ‘branch of river’ in Yorta Yorta. Just as rivers sustain Country by carrying life through every branch and stream, Borrinyu honours the many voices and stories moving forward together to create positive change.

At the Victorian Ombudsman, we are committed to honouring truth, healing and reconciliation. As implementation of Treaty continues, we will continue to support the rights of First Peoples to be treated fairly and to engage meaningfully with the State.

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we recognise the importance of building inclusive digital experiences for all Vic...
21/05/2026

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we recognise the importance of building inclusive digital experiences for all Victorians. Accessibility is a shared responsibility, and the Victorian Ombudsman is committed to being accessible to all.

If you need help communicating with us, please let us know. We’ll do what we can to assist you. There are also some other services available if you need help to make a complaint:
— National Relay Service: Choose preferred NRS channel then 1800 806 314
— Get help in your language: Translating and Interpreting Service 131 450
— Translation of written documents (you can ask for to translate our correspondence by calling us on 03 9613 6222 or using the contacts above).

You can also view Easy English information about making a complaint on our website → https://ombudsman.vic.gov.au/easy-english-documents/

Want to know more about your rights when adulting, renting, working and staying out of trouble? Join us today at our Law...
19/05/2026

Want to know more about your rights when adulting, renting, working and staying out of trouble? Join us today at our Law Week session – Flying the coop: A practical guide to growing up and moving out.

Learn how to spot issues early and where you can find help if things go wrong. You’ll be met with:
→ free food and drinks
→ friendly experts who get what you're going through
→ no judgement, just answers.

For more information visit → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/program/flying-the-coop-a-practical-guide-to-growing-up-and-moving-out

Today we’ll be joined by members of and Water Ombudsman Victoria and the Industry Ombudsman for a Law Week session: Th...
18/05/2026

Today we’ll be joined by members of and Water Ombudsman Victoria and the Industry Ombudsman for a Law Week session: The Gentle Art of Making a Complaint.

Complaints are not just cathartic; formal complaints are essential for improving services and creating real change. Join us for an engaging and informative discussion on the role of an Ombudsman in investigating and resolving complaints. You’ll learn how to make your complaints well-informed and effective when dealing with public services and other organisations.

Tuesday 19 May
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Bendigo Library
259 Hargreaves St, Bendigo Vic 3550

For more information visit → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/program/the-gentle-art-of-making-a-complaint

It’s Law Week!From 18–24 May, celebrate Victorian Law Week with us and the Law Foundation, a week focused on making the...
18/05/2026

It’s Law Week!

From 18–24 May, celebrate Victorian Law Week with us and the Law Foundation, a week focused on making the law more transparent and accessible for all Victorians. It’s an opportunity to learn how the law impacts your everyday life and build the confidence to navigate it.

Where you can find us this week:
→ Tuesday 19 May – The Gentle Are of Making a Complaint, Bendigo Library
→ Wednesday 20 May – Flying the coop: A Practical Guide to Growing Up and Moving Out, Bendigo Library
→ Wednesday 20 May – Law Week Storytime, Bendigo Library
→ Friday 22 May – Whittlesea Fix It Friday, Whittlesea Community House

For more info or to explore the full program of events → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/

This Sunday is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. Everyone deserves to feel heard, safe an...
15/05/2026

This Sunday is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. Everyone deserves to feel heard, safe and respected for who they are.

If you think you’ve been treated unfairly when dealing with public services in Victoria, you have the right to make a complaint. You can complain about the actions and decisions of public bodies, such as state government departments, agencies like WorkSafe and VicRoads, and local councils.
You can speak up for yourself or for someone else. Your voice can make a real difference in the community and help overcome barriers, including issues related to:

- public healthcare, education and housing
- participating in public life and using public facilities and services
- the promotion and protection of human rights, including equality.
Through complaints, we can create change and help ensure that laws, policies and practices are fair for everyone in the Victorian community.

For more information, or to make a complaint, visit our website → https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/

There’s still time to join one of our online training classes before the end of the financial year. Our workshops are de...
13/05/2026

There’s still time to join one of our online training classes before the end of the financial year. Our workshops are designed for public sector, local government, not-for-profit and community organisation audiences. We will guide you through practical skills that help you respond professionally, resolve issues efficiently and walk into the new financial year with confidence.

GOOD DECISION MAKING
Date and time: Thursday 4 June 2026, 9.30am to 1pm
Mode: Online via Zoom
Price: $401.50

DEALING WITH COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR
Date and time: Thursday 18 June 2026, 9.30am to 4pm
Mode: Online via Zoom
Price: $742.50

GOOD COMPLAINT HANDLING
Date and time: Tuesday 23 June 2026, 9.30am to 1pm
Mode: Online via Zoom
Price: $401.50

Register now and secure your spot → https://victorianombudsman.powerappsportals.com/

The Integrity and Oversight Committee, a cross-party committee of the Parliament of Victoria, has today tabled its repor...
05/05/2026

The Integrity and Oversight Committee, a cross-party committee of the Parliament of Victoria, has today tabled its report into the adequacy of funding for the Victorian Ombudsman.

We welcome the report and note that the committee echoed the concerns we expressed, alongside the Victorian Auditor-General's Office and IBAC Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, in our recent joint paper 'Advancing budget transparency for Victoria’s core integrity agencies'. The IOC noted that 'integrity agencies are in a distinctive position, in that they are required to seek funding through executive-led processes while performing oversight functions that may directly affect the Executive Government'.

The IOC makes 18 recommendations directed at ensuring the integrity agencies are appropriately supported to fulfil their roles effectively and independently. We believe these are important and practical reforms that ensure we can perform our functions as an independent officer that reports directly to Parliament.

→ Read the IOC report 'Inquiry into the adequacy of the annual budget of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, the Victorian Ombudsman and Integrity Oversight Victoria': https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/bioi/reports

→ Read our joint paper with IBAC and VAGO 'Advancing budget transparency for Victoria’s core integrity agencies': https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/our-impact/news/integrity-agencies-renew-call-for-transparent-independent-funding/

Address

Level 2, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 6:30pm
Thursday 7am - 6:30pm
Friday 7am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+611800806314

Website

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