About Ombudsman Victoria

The Ombudsman of Victoria is an independent officer of the Victorian Parliament who investigates complaints about state government departments, most statutory authorities and local government.

The Ombudsman is responsible to Parliament, rather than the government of the day, and can only be dismissed by Parliament.

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about administrative actions and decisions taken by government authorities and about the conduct or behaviour of their staff.

The Ombudsman is independent and impartial and provides a free service. Complaints can be made to the Ombudsman by any member of the public.

The Ombudsman's powers to conduct investigations are deliberately broad. Unlike specialist review tribunals or commissions, the Ombudsman reviews the lawfulness of agencies' actions or decisions, as well as the reasonableness and fairness of these actions in the circumstances.

The Ombudsman will not usually intervene until the aggrieved person has raised their concerns with the responsible government authority.