Oversight agencies act independently of the Government and may inspect or review the operations of ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS). Oversight agencies may also receive complaints from offenders and community members about the services delivered by ACTCS.
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
The HRC is an independent statutory agency established by the Human Rights Commission Act 2005.
The HRC encourages and assists in the resolution of complaints, assisting users and providers to make improvements in the provision of services.
The Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner has powers regarding detainee complaints and inspections of correctional centres.
Members of the commission include:
- Children and Young People Commissioner;
- Disability and Community Services Commissioner;
- Discrimination Commissioner;
- Health Services Commissioner; and
- Human Rights Commissioner.
Telephone: 02 6205 2222
Postal address
GPO Box 158
Canberra City ACT 2601
Physical Address
Level 4, CFM Building,
12 Moore St, Canberra City
Fax 02 6207 1034
TTY 02 6205 1666
Email human.rights@act.gov.au
Website http://www.hrc.act.gov.au
ACT Ombudsman
Investigates complaints from people who believe they have been treated unfairly or unreasonably by an ACT Government directorate or agency. The Ombudsman can also receive and investigate Public Interest Disclosures along with the Auditor General and Attorney General.
Postal Address
GPO Box 442
Canberra ACT 2601
Physical Address
Level 5, 14 Childers Street
Canberra City
Telephone 1300 362 072
(Local call cost. Calls from mobiles charged at mobile phone rates) Enquiries 9 am - 5 pm Monday to Friday
Fax 02 6249 7829
Email act.ombo@ombudsman.gov.au
Website http://ombudsman.act.gov.au/
Inspector of Correctional Services
The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services was established to provide independent oversight of ACT Correctional and Youth Justice facilities, focusing on continual improvement and prevention of ill-treatment. The Inspector of Correctional Services does not handle individual complaints about Corrective Services facilities and services, but works cooperatively with oversight entities that do, in order to identify systemic issues and propose constructive recommendations to address these issues.
Website http://www.ics.act.gov.au/
Corrections Official Visitors
Official Visitors are appointed to undertake independent inspections of adult correctional facilities in the ACT and take complaints from detainees under the Official Visitor Act 2012.
There are two Corrections Official Visitors and an Indigenous Official Visitor who attend correctional centres on a regular basis and receive and investigate detainee complaints.
Public Advocate of the ACT
Promotes and individually represents the rights and interests of people with who are not able to represent or protect themselves including adults with a mental illness or impaired decision making ability who require protection from abuse, exploitation or neglect.
Postal Address
PO Box 1001
Civic Square ACT 2608
Physical Address
3rd Floor, CFM Building,
12 Moore St, Canberra City
Telephone: 02 6207 0707
Phone Enquires can be made Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 1.00pm & 2:00 to 4:30
Fax 6207 0688
Email pa@act.gov.au
Website http://www.publicadvocate.act.gov.au/
ACT Integrity Commission
The Integrity Commission is an independent body that has the power to investigate corruption in public administration and strengthen public confidence in government integrity.
Website www.integrity.act.gov.au
Office of the Privacy Commissioner
The Commissioner provides protection for:
- personal information about you that is handled by federal and ACT government agencies;
- personal information about you held by all large private sector organisations, all private sector health service providers and some small businesses;
- credit worthiness information held by credit reporting agencies and credit providers; and
- personal tax file numbers used by individuals and organisations.
Telephone 1300 363 992 (Local call cost)
TTY 1800 620 241
Postal Address
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2001
Fax 02 9284 9666
Email privacy@privacy.gov.au
Website http://www.privacy.gov.au/
Help with contacting oversight agencies
ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)
Telephone 02 6242 5060
Website www.adacas.org.au
ACT Deafness Resource Centre
Telephone 02 6287 4393
Website www.actdrc.org.au
Royal Society for the Blind
Telephone 02 6132 9200
National Relay Service (NRS) for hearing or speech impaired complainants
Telephone 133 677 then ask for 133 427
Website www.relayservice.gov.au