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Serious complaints

Alleged criminal activity or corrupt conduct should always be referred to the relevant statutory authorities.

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Complaints about alleged criminal activity or corrupt behaviour should be referred directly to the appropriate statutory authority.
Each authority may have different processes for investigating a complaint.
Generally, each authority will determine whether or not an investigation is warranted.

Corrupt conduct (ICAC)

Corrupt conduct is intentional wrongdoing. It's not negligence or a mistake.

You should complain to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) if you become aware of corrupt conduct:

by a NSW public official, or
by a member of the public in order to influence a NSW public official.

ICAC has a wide-ranging jurisdiction. It extends to NSW public sector agencies and state-owned corporations, their employees and contract staff, local councils, members of Parliament, ministers, the judiciary and the governor. The ICAC's jurisdiction also extends to those performing public official functions.

Maladministration (NSW Ombudsman)

If you have a complaint about maladministration of an agency, or perceived integrity issues, you may complain to the NSW Ombudsman.

The NSW Ombudsman is an independent integrity agency that holds NSW Government accountable to the people of NSW. Their role is to make sure agencies and their staff do their jobs properly and meet their responsibilities to the community.

The NSW Ombudsman also has complaint handling resources, including fact sheets, guidelines and a guide to smart complaining.

Serious and substantial waste (Audit Office of NSW)

Audits help parliament hold government accountable for its use of public resources. Audits help determine whether public money is spent efficiently, effectively, economically and in accordance with the law.

Requests for audits by the Audit Office of NSW can only be made by auditees, the Treasurer, ministers, the Office of Local Government within the Department of Planning and Environment and both Houses of Parliament.

Read more on the Audit Office of NSW website.

Private information (Information and Privacy Commission NSW)

If you believe a NSW public sector agency has misused your personal information, you can complain to the agency or to the NSW Privacy Commissioner.

The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent body that manages legislation on privacy and access to government-held information in New South Wales.

Administration review (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal)

In some limited cases, you may be able to have an agency decision reviewed by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The types of cases dealt with by NCAT are broad and diverse. You can find a list of the jurisdictions NCAT is able to act on the NCAT website.