Making a complaint to VEOHRC

Important: before you make a complaint to VEOHRC, read about how to get your complaint ready by using the link on the left side of this page – Collecting information and making a complaint.

You can make a complaint to the VEOHRC by:

• Requesting a phone appointment
• Writing a letter
• Sending an email.

You can also ask someone else to make a complaint for you – like a partner, family member, friend or lawyer. VEOHRC will ask for your consent first. People outside prison can contact VEOHRC by calling 1300 292 153 or completing an online form on their website.

If VEOHRC cannot assist you, they might refer your complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman.

Requesting a phone appointment

There will be a designated person at your prison who can arrange phone appointments with VEOHRC. To find out who that person is, ask your case worker or Unit Manager.

Write a letter

Send your complaint in a letter to:

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Level 3, 204 Lygon Street
Carlton, VIC 3053

Mail to VEOHRC is free of charge.

Important: mail to VEOHRC is exempt mail. That means prison officers are not allowed to open your letters to or from the VEOHRC, except in very specific circumstances. For more information on Mail, click here.

Sending an email

Email your complaint to complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au

What to include in your complaint

You can help VEOHRC understand your complaint by giving them as much detail and information as possible. Make sure your complaint includes:

• That you want make a complaint – it is very important to use these words, or the complaint process might not start from your letter, which will cause delay
• Your name and contact details (in most cases you can’t make an anonymous complaint)
• The name and contact details of the person your complaint is about
• What happened in your own words, including when and where it happened
• If you are complaining about discrimination, which protected attribute you have
• What you want to happen from making a complaint
• If you need any help with the process, like an interpreter

Source: VEOHRC website