We deal with complaints about Victorian public mental health and wellbeing services including services delivered by a public hospital.
Read more about the services that we can take complaints about.
Read more about how we handle complaints and about our role and functions.
If your concern is about something other than a Victorian public mental health and wellbeing service, you may be able to get advice or help from one of the organisations listed below.
If you are unsure whether the Commission or another organisation can best assist you, please contact us for guidance.
Compulsory orders and treatment
| Concern | Support |
| "I want to apply to have my Treatment Order cancelled." | Mental Health Tribunal (MHT) The MHT is the independent tribunal established to:
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| “I want to know what my rights are or receive advocacy support, for example, I want more say in my treatment, or I want leave from hospital”. | Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) IMHA can help you to know your rights and have your say. They are a free and confidential non-legal advocacy service for people who are receiving compulsory treatment or are worried about receiving compulsory treatment. IMHA is independent of mental health services.
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"I want a second psychiatric opinion on my treatment and ask whether the criteria for my Order under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, 2022 apply to me." | Second Psychiatric Opinion Service (SPOS) SPOS offers an independent second psychiatric opinion to people who are being treated as a compulsory, forensic or security patient under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, 2022. Second psychiatric opinions can give people additional information to challenge or participate in treatment decisions. You can ask for a second psychiatric opinion at any time or your Nominated Support Person, carer, family member or supporter can ask for a second psychiatric opinion on your behalf. The SPOS can provide a second opinion in relation to:
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Legal
| Concern | Support |
Example Issue: “I am on a Compulsory Treatment Order and need to talk to a lawyer" or “I need representation at the Mental Health Tribunal.”
| Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) VLA can provide free legal advice to people on compulsory treatment orders looking to have a say in their assessment, treatment, and recovery. Some people are eligible for free legal advice and representation.
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"I have a complaint about lawyers and legal services, for example, costs, conduct, behaviour, and quality of service." | Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSBC) The VLSBC is an independent statutory authority, responsible for regulation of the legal profession in Victoria. Phone: (03) 9679 8001 or visit their website |
| Example Issue: “I want advice about a legal issue and whether I can take legal action against a mental health service or provider.” | Mental Health Legal Centre (MHLC) The MHLC provides free and confidential legal services to Victorians who engage with the mental health system. This includes Tribunal hearing representation and help to make Advance Statements.
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Example Issue: “I want to know about other legal services and supports.”
| Federation of Community Legal Centres (FCLC) FCLCs are independent community organisations that provide free legal services to the public.
Or Find a Lawyer - Legal referral services to find private lawyers in different areas.
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| “I am on a Compulsory Treatment Order and need to talk to a lawyer" or “I need representation at the Mental Health Tribunal.” | Mental Health Legal Rights Service (MHLRS) The MHLRS Helpline is staffed by lawyers to provide free legal advice and information about your mental health legal rights. They can also connect you to more free legal support, which may include legal representation at the Mental Health Tribunal.
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| “I am an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and I need to talk to a lawyer about being on a Compulsory Treatment Order, or other legal issues” | Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) VALS provides referrals, advice or information, duty work or case work assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. VALS can assist with criminal law matters, civil and human rights, family law, family violence and child protection, as well as youth legal practice and a prison and police accountability practice, Wirraway.
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Health
| Concern | Support |
| "I want to make a complaint about a private psychologist or private psychiatrist/GP/medical services in a hospital." | Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) The HCC can take complaints about health services such as a public or private hospitals, GP clinics, community health services, or about an individual health practitioner. The HCC can consider complaints about social workers and other unregistered health practitioners (eg counsellors). Phone 1300 582 113 or visit their website |
| "I want to make a complaint about the behaviour or conduct of a health practitioner such as a doctor, a nurse or a psychologist and how they practice." | Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Ahpra can take complaints about registered health practitioners including concerns about clinical care, treatment, their behaviour or about a health problem that might be affecting the practitioner’s safe care of others. Ahpra works in partnership with 16 National Health Practitioner Boards in implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. It ensures the community has access to a safe health workforce across the above professions. Phone 1300 419 495 or visit their website |
| "I want to make a complaint about my private health insurance." | The Commonwealth Ombudsman The Commonwealth Ombudsman protects the interests of private health insurance consumers and has a free and independent complaint handling service. Phone 1300 362 072 or visit their website |
| "I want to make a complaint about Ambulance Victoria." | Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC)
The HCC can take complaints about health service organisations including Ambulance Victoria. Phone 1300 582 113 or visit their website Or Victorian Ombudsman The Victorian Ombudsman deals with complaints about Victorian government organisations. Phone 03 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 (Regional) or visit their website |
Aged care and/or disability
| Concern | Support |
| "I want to make a complaint about my Aged Care Provider." | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's role is to protect and enhance the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of people receiving aged care. It promotes high quality care and services to safeguard everyone who is receiving Australian Government funded aged care. Phone 1800 951 822 or visit their website |
| "I want to make a complaint about National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded supports and services." | NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission This Commission is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. It regulates NDIS providers, promotes safety and quality, resolves problems and identifies areas for improvement. Phone 1800 035 544 or visit their website |
| "I want to make a complaint about an individual disability worker (registered or unregistered)." | Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) The VDWC can receive any enquiry, complaint or notification about any disability worker in Victoria, including about their:
Phone: 1800 497 132 or visit their website |
Government and Police
| Concern | Support |
| "I want to make a complaint about an action or decision made by Victorian state and local government authorities." | Victorian Ombudsman The Victorian Ombudsman takes complaints about the actions or decisions of government departments, councils, publicly funded community services and organisations such as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Phone: (03) 9613 6222 or visit their website |
"I want to make a complaint about Police misconduct and/or corruption in the public sector." | Victoria Police Conduct Unit Victoria Police Conduct Unit takes complaints about a negative experience with Victoria Police or to report the actions or behaviour of its employees. Phone: 1300 363 101 or visit their website or Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) IBAC’s role is to prevent and expose public sector corruption, and investigate police misconduct in Victoria. Phone: 1300 735 135 or visit their website |
Privacy
| Concern | Support |
"I have a complaint about how my private information is being used by a Victorian government Agency, for example, my local Council." | Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) OVIC deals with complaints regarding a Victorian government agency or local council’s failure to comply with one or more of the information privacy principles. They are Victoria’s primary regulator and source of independent advice about how the public sector collects, uses and shares information. Phone: 1300 006 842 or visit their website |
Human Rights
| Concern | Support |
"I want to make a complaint about my human rights to do with discrimination, victimisation, sexual, harassment and racial or religious vilification." | Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) VEOHRC is an independent organisation with responsibilities under Victoria’s human rights laws. It resolves complaints and undertakes education, engagement, investigations and independent reviews. VEOHRC advocates for stronger protections and greater respect for human rights and equality. Phone: 1300 891 848 or visit their website |
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