Everyone has a right to provide feedback or raise a complaint if they are concerned about the way they have been treated by a service provider. You can raise your concerns directly with the service provider or use an advocacy service.
An advocate provides confidential independent information about the rights and entitlements of people using services. They also discuss options and possible consequences of any course of action. Government-funded advocacy services do not charge for their help.
- The Office of the Public Advocate protects the rights and interests of people with reduced mental capacity and their carers - phone 8342 8200 or 1800 066 969.
- The Aged Rights Advocacy Service helps consumers of aged care services and their carers with service-related issues or abuse of older people - phone 8232 5377 / 1800 700 600 or email: aras@agedrights.asn.au.
- Disability advocacy services provide information and advocacy support to individuals, families, carer and communities. To find a disability advocacy service in your area, please visit the Department of Social Services - Disability and Carers.
- The Community Visitor Scheme provides patients of approved mental health facilities, residents with a disability living in state-run disability accommodation, clients under guardianship of the Public Advocate who are participants of the NDIS, and their carers and family members, with advocacy and assistance to ensure services are responsive and appropriate to patient and resident needs - phone 1800 606 302 or email: cvs@sa.gov.au.
If, after all reasonable steps have been taken, you are still not satisfied with the outcome, contact the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner on 8226 8666 / 1800 232 007.
If your complaint relates to discrimination in the workplace, you should contact the Office of the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity on 7322 7070.
