Complaints handling and appeals

This policy outlines ARC’s process for complaints and appeals.

General Complaints, Appeals and Feedback

For general complaints about the Australian Research Council (ARC). 

General Complaints about the ARC

• Potential complainants are encouraged to:
  • Initially contact the ARC officer involved to attempt to resolve the issue.
  • Submit a complaint if the matter cannot be resolved through initial contact.
• Once a complaint is submitted, the ARC will conduct the formal complaints‑handling process.
• The complainant will be notified of the outcome, including any remedial action taken by the ARC if required.
• If the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may pursue the matter further.
  • Complaints may be resubmitted to the ARC for reconsideration.

The complainant may contact an external agency at any time during the handling of a general complaint.

Appeals about ARC NCGP Administrative Processes

• Appeal forms must be lodged through the relevant administering organisation’s research office to the ARC.
• The ARC conducts an appeals process, which involves the Appeals Committee.
• The appellant (administering organisation) will be notified of the outcome.
• If dissatisfied, they may contact an external agency.

The appellant may contact an external agency at any time during the handling of an appeal.

The details of how-to lodge an appeal are available on the Appeals against the NCGP administrative processes page. 

Complaints and Suggestions about the ARC

The ARC welcomes feedback on the quality, timeliness, and responsiveness of our services.

General Complaints Form

General Complaints Form – PDF Format – Word Format

Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) provides independent merits review of administrative decisions made by the Australian government and some non-government bodies. Merits review of an administrative decision involves considering afresh the facts, law and policy relating to that decision.

Further information about ART processes and how to apply is available on the ART website.

• Tel: 1300 366 700
• Email: reviews@art.gov.au
• Post: GPO Box 9955, Canberra ACT, 2601 (Canberra Office).
• For other State and Territory offices see the ART website.
• Website: www.art.gov.au

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) (ADJR)

This process can be used if you want the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia to review an administrative decision or conduct under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977. Further information regarding the ADJR process and associated forms is available on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (fcfcoa.gov.au)

Australian Information Commissioner

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is an Australian Government agency, established under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is Australia's federal regulatory agency for freedom of information and privacy. The office also has a role in government information policy issues. 

• Tel: 1300 363 992
• Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
• Post: GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY NSW, 2001
• Website: www.oaic.gov.au  

Australian Research Integrity Committee (ARIC)

The ARIC, which is jointly established by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), provides a review system of institutional processes to respond to allegations of research misconduct. 

For further information regarding the ARIC or to download the ARIC Request for Review form, please see the ARC website or contact the ARIC Secretariat.

• Tel: (02) 6287 6701
• Email: aric@arc.gov.au
• Post: ARIC-ARC Secretariat [IN CONFIDENCE]
• Australian Research Council,
• GPO Box 2702, Canberra ACT 2601
• Website: www.arc.gov.au  

Commonwealth Ombudsman

You have the right to refer your complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The Commonwealth Ombudsman can investigate complaints about the actions and decisions of Australian Government agencies to see if they are ‘wrong, unjust, unlawful, discriminatory or just plain unfair’.

Complaints can be made in writing, by phone, in person or by using an online complaint form. Further information is available from the Commonwealth Ombudsman's website.

• Tel: 1300 362 072
• Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au
• Post: GPO Box 442, CANBERRA ACT, 2601
• Website: www.ombudsman.gov.au  

Privacy Commissioner

If at any time you consider that we have breached your privacy, you may wish to submit a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC has complaint handling responsibilities under the Privacy Act 1988. It investigates privacy complaints from individuals about Australian and ACT government agencies, and private sector organisations covered by the Act.

Information on how to submit a complaint, as well as a complaints form, is available from the OAIC website.

• Tel: 1300 363 992
• Email: privacy@privacy.gov.au
• Post: GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY NSW, 2001
• Website: www.oaic.gov.au

Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (the CDDA Scheme)

If you consider you have suffered detriment as a result of our administrative procedures or advice, you may wish to submit an application under the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (the CDDA Scheme). 

Applications under the CDDA Scheme should be made directly to the ARC. Further information about the CDDA Scheme is available on the Department of Finance website.