What can I do if my application for a permit is refused?
Write to the General Manager
If you believe your application for a CCP or CICP was unfairly refused, you could write a letter to the General Manager and ask them to reconsider the decision.
In your letter you should clearly explain what was wrong with the decision to refuse your application and your reasons for wanting them to reconsider.
Make sure you keep a copy of your letter, as well as a copy of any response you get from the General Manager.
Complain to the Victorian Ombudsman
If you do not receive a response from the General Manager or are not happy with the response you get, you can complain to the Victorian Ombudsman.
Important: you can only complain to the Ombudsman after you have tried to resolve the issue with the prison.
For more information on how to make a complaint, see the Making a complaint section on the home page. It has information about:
- Preparing for a complaint
- Making an internal complaint (to someone at your prison)
- Making a complaint to Corrections Victoria
- Making complaints to the Victorian Ombudsman
Getting help from a lawyer
A lawyer might be able to help if you have been unfairly or unlawfully refused for a permit.
For more information on getting help from a lawyer, click here.
Judicial review
If the decision about your permit application was unlawful, you may be able to apply to the Supreme Court for a judicial review.
In a judicial review, the Court does not look at the decision to see if they would have done things differently. What they look at is whether the decision was lawful. If they decide the decision was unlawful, they can cancel the decision or order the person who refused your application to re-consider.
It’s a good idea to get legal advice before applying for judicial review. If you lose your case, you can be made to pay the cost of Corrections Victoria’s legal fees. You will also very likely need a lawyer to help you apply for judicial review, especially if you do not have access to a computer.
You should try to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible because an application should be made within 60 days of the hearing officer’s decision about a penalty.
For more information on judicial review and what decisions are unlawful, click here.