Complaints Mechanisms in the NT
This information has been collated by NTCOSS for our members and the wider Northern Territory community. If you or someone you know, including children, want to complain about an issue related to treatment by the NT Police, Corrections, or Territory Families, Housing and Communities, they can do so.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE FORCE
For complaints relating to NT Police, there are two avenues people can pursue. People can go through the internal police complaints process or externally through the Ombudsman NT, an independent body.
Go to: https://pfes.nt.gov.au/contact-us/compliments-and-complaints
T: 13 14 44
Address: Professional Standards Command; P.O. Box 39764 Winnellie NT 0821
If you don’t think the complaint has been adequately managed by the police, or you are uncomfortable about reporting directly to them, you can lodge your complaint with the NT Ombudsman.
https://www.ombudsman.nt.gov.au/complaints/police https://www.ombudsman.nt.gov.au/complaint-form
Level 6, NT House, 22 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800
Postal: PO Box 1344 Darwin NT 0801
T: (08) 8999 1818
Free call: 1800 806 380
NORTHERN TERRITORY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Complaints about treatment in prison can be done so internally through a supervising officer or through submitting a form to escalate with the Superintendent or their delegate if the matter cannot be resolved a block level.
If a prisoner is not satisfied with the response to their complaint they can raise their concerns with the Ombudsman NT. Further for serious or time sensitive complaints, a prisoner can contact the Ombudsman NT directly (information above) or their lawyer.
The prisoner can also speak with the “Official Visitor”, who represents the Minister for Justice.
All prisons and youth detention centres should be inspected once a month by an Official Visitor.
YOUTH JUSTICE
A young person involved with the youth justice system, or a responsible adult on their behalf, can make a complaint.
This can be done within a youth justice facility to the Manager Youth Programs – Superintendent, with the help of a staff member if needed. If you don’t feel comfortable making a complaint to the staff, an external complaint can be made to the Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner (details below). The Children’s Commissioner might investigate the matter or thy might direct you to another service that is more appropriate (such as the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commissioner or Northern Territory Police).
All young people in detention should have unmonitored telephone access to the NT Children’s Commissioner.
https://occ.nt.gov.au/contact-us
https://occ.nt.gov.au/home/make-a-complaint
Complaints Freecall: 1800 259 256
Address:
Level 4, NT House
22 Mitchell Street, DarwinPostal:
GPO Box 3779
Darwin NT 0801Phone: (08) 8999 6076
Fax: (08) 8999 6072Email: occ@nt.gov.au
CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
The NT Government Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (TFHC) has primary responsibility for implementation of the Act, including the protection and care of children from abuse, and the promotion of family welfare. If you have concerns about the services provided by TFHC, a complaint can be made to the Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner (information above).
Complaints or concerns can be raised with the Children’s Commissioner about the treatment of all vulnerable children. For example, this includes young people with a mental illness or living with a disability. If you are not sure about who to complaint to in relation to a vulnerable child, you can always call the Children’s Commissioner on Freecall: 1800 259 256 and they will tell you who the best person to talk to is.
The Children’s Commissioner can also initiate own investigations, deal with complaints, produce reports and monitor service providers’ responses.
UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION
Federal and NT discrimination laws protect people from discrimination on the basis of a range of areas such as race, sex, age or disability.
It is unlawful to treat a person less favourably on the basis of such protected attributes and the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission accepts, investigates and helps resolve complaints of discrimination.
https://adc.nt.gov.au/complaints
All formal complaints to the NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner must be in writing.
For help filling out the form, go to the nearest Legal Aid office,
Community Legal Service or contact the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’s Office.
Address:
Level 9
NT House
22 Mitchell St
Darwin NT 0800Postal: LMB 22 GPO Darwin NT 0801 Fax: (08) 8981 3812
Phone: (08) 8999 1444 Freecall: 1800 813 846
Email: antidiscrimination@nt.gov.au
Website: www.adc.nt.gov.au
If You Would Like Help to Make a Complaint
NORTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL JUSTICE AGENCY
Darwin
Toll free: 1800 898 251
Phone: 8982 5100
61 Smith Street, Darwin
Katherine
Toll free: 1800 897 728
Phone: 8972 5000
10 Third Street, Katherine
Alice Springs
Toll free: 1800 636 079
Phone: 8950 9300
55 Bath Street, Alice Springs
NT LEGAL AID COMMISSION
Darwin
6th Floor
9-11 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Palmerston
Shop 6, Goyder Centre
25 Chung Wah Terrace
Palmerston NT 0830
Katherine
20 Second Street
Katherine NT 0850
Alice Springs
77 Hartley Street
Alice Springs NT 0870
Tennant Creek
Shop 3
163 Paterson Street
Tennant Creek NT 0860
NORTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL FAMILY LEGAL SERVICE
Darwin
Toll free: 1800 041 998
Phone: 8923 8200
32 Dripstone Road, Casuarina
Katherine
Toll free: 1800 184 868
Phone: 8972 3200
Nhulunbuy
Phone: 0477 400 116
Suit 1, 81 Chesterfield Avenue, Nhulunbuy
CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL FAMILY LEGAL UNIT
Alice Springs
Toll free: 1800 088 884
Phone: 8953 6355
84 Hartley Street, Alice Springs
Tennant Creek
Toll free: 1800 068 830
Phone: 8962 2100
2/172 Paterson Street, Tennant Creek
CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE
Alice Springs
Phone: 8952 4055
Toll Free: 1800 684 055
Email: enquiries@cawls.org.au
TOP END WOMENS LEGAL SERVICE
Free call: 1800 234 441
Phone: 8982 3000
17 Lindsay Street, Darwin
KATHERINE WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE
Free call: 1800 620 108
Phone: 8972 1712
Shop 5, 17 First Street, Katherine
DARWIN COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
Free call: 1800 812 953
Phone: 8982 111
Level 2, 75 Wood Street, Darwin
Darwin
Free call: 1800 817 055
Phone: (08) 8981 0655
98 Woods Street
Darwin CBD
Alice Springs
Free call: 1800 817 055
Phone: (08) 8952 5255
Shop 19, Level 1 John Cummings Plaza
63 Todd Mall, Alice SpringsEmail: admin@ntwwc.com.au
https://www.ntwwc.com.au/contact
DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICE
Alice Springs
Phone: (08) 8953 1422
Shop 4, 54 Reg Harris Lane
Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0870
Tennant Creek
Phone: (08) 8962 1412
DAS office is located within the Estate Agents building
1 / 129 Paterson St.
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory 0860Email: admin@das.org.au