Making a complaint

Choosing a jurisdiction in which to lodge a complaint can be a complex choice. Different time limits apply to different jurisdictions. It may be useful to seek legal advice before lodging your complaint.

• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

  People wishing to enquire about or make a complaint of discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation, racial or religious vilification, or report a change or suppression practice, may contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). You can phone the VEOHRC between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday. Complaints can also be lodged through the VEOHRC’s website. For the VEOHRC’s contact details, see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter.

  The VEOHRC has also published a Victorian discrimination law resource, Victorian Discrimination Law (2nd ed), that explains the EO Act and the RRT Act in detail and considers relevant case law.Description text goes here

• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

  Under the EO  Act, you can choose to take your complaint to the VEOHRC for dispute resolution or apply to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for dispute resolution and to have your complaint heard in a public hearing. Applications to VCAT can be lodged online. For VCAT’s contact details, see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter.

• Australian Human Rights Commission

  Complaints of racial, disability, age and sex discrimination under the Commonwealth Acts (listed above) should be made in writing. A complaint form is available on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) website (www.humanrights. gov.au). For the AHRC’s contact details, see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter.Description text goes here

• Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission

  The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide information about options to pursue matters of employment discrimination action under the Fair Work Act. A  translating and interpreting service is available by phone on 13 14 50.

  The Fair Work Commission can provide information about options to pursue employment-related discrimination and sexual harassment complaints.

  For the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman’s contact details, see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter.

Making a complaint

Chapter: 11.1: Discrimination and human rights

Contributor: Kristina Hoel, Legal and Policy Officer, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission; Melissa De Abreu, Senior Lawyer, Australian Human Rights Commission

Current as of: 1 September 2024

Law Handbook Page: 892

Next Section: Victorian antidiscrimination law