Ombudsman Lawyers
We are experienced in assisting with administrative review matters before the Ombudsman. Contact us for your initial consultation free of charge.
The Ombudsman is an independent investigatory which exists to deal with complaints about decisions made in a variety of different types of matters. There are many different types of Ombudsmen, some at State level and some at Commonwealth or Federal level and they all have different powers granted to them by the government to investigate different areas and different types of decisions. Choosing the right Ombudsman or authority for your complaint can be a confusing and vexing process. If the matter is investigated by the wrong Ombudsman, often there can be no recourse to try again with another Ombudsman, so it is best to obtain legal advice from one of our Ombudsman Lawyers before deciding where and how to make your complaint to the Ombudsman.
Ombudsmen are given power by the government to make investigations and report their findings into various matters and to make recommendations on how matters should be finalised and resolved. Essentially, Ombudsmen are independent investigators empowered by the government to make recommendations to resolve disputes between parties. The types of Ombudsmen can be more general in focus such as:
The Commonwealth Ombudsman – who investigates matters decided by Commonwealth government officials or agencies or national private sector bodies such as Australia Post; and
State Ombudsmen – Each State has its own Ombudsman’s Office including NSW, QLD, VIC, WA, SA, TAS and the NT; the State Ombudsman investigate decisions made at State government level or by State government agencies.
For specific areas there may be more tailored industry Ombudsman who specialise the scope of their areas of investigation. Examples of some of the different types of industry Ombudsmen and their areas are as follows:
Fair Work Ombudsman for employment related matters;
Energy & Water Ombudsmen in each State for electricity, gas and water disputes;
Private Health Insurance Ombudsmen;
Public Transport Ombudsmen;
Produce and Grocery Ombudsmen;
Financial Services Ombudsmen;
Australian Financial Complaints Authority; and
Financial Ombudsmen Service for banking matters.
The above list is non-exhaustive and but a taste of the various types of dispute resolution options available through Ombudsmen. With such a wide range of options available, it is essential that you get knowledgeable advice as to which Ombudsman is the best for your complaint form one of our Ombudsman Lawyers. You should also seek legal advice if a complaint has been lodged with an Ombudsman by a third party and you are subject to the scrutiny of an Ombudsman.
Although the Ombudsman is less formal than a Court, it is essential that you obtain legal advice so as to present your case in the best possible way. Speak to one of our Ombudsman Lawyers today for a first free consultation regarding complaints to or from the Ombudsman.
The timeliness of seeking legal advice is crucial because there are often deadlines for the filing of, or responding to, complaints. Therefore, as soon as you have a complaint or learn of a complaint made against you, you should get in touch with us for a free no obligation consultation with one of our Ombudsman Lawyers.
Disclaimer:
The information above is intended as general information only and should not be relied on. You should discuss your individual situation with a lawyer.
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