Make a complaint or report via our online form
Provide further information
Request a review of the outcome of your complaint or report
Submit a general enquiry
Why should I make a complaint or report?
You should make a complaint or report because South Australia deserves a public sector that is accountable and trustworthy.
When public institutions and public officers do not act with integrity, it affects both individuals and the community in many ways.
- It wastes public resources that might otherwise be available to provide services to you and your family.
- It undermines confidence in public administration.
- It can sometimes cause risks to safety and people.
Regardless of the outcome of your complaint or report, the information you share with us is valuable. It helps to develop a big picture of public administration in South Australia, including its risks and vulnerabilities.
Public Officers have an obligation to report certain conduct.
What will happen to my complaint or report?
When you make a complaint or report about public administration to the OPI, it will be received by an Intake Officer. You will receive an acknowledgement letter or email if you have provided your contact details. This includes more information about the assessment process. You can read more about this process in our Public Administration Fact Sheet.
Assessment outcomes
Your complaint or report will then be assessed by the OPI and will result in one of the following outcomes.
If your matter raises a potential issue of corruption in public administration that could be the subject of a prosecution, then it will be referred to the ICAC for potential investigation.
If your matter raises a potential issue of misconduct, maladministration or some other issue, then it will be referred to an Inquiry Agency such as Ombudsman SA or the Judicial Conduct Commissioner, who may decide to investigate further.
If your matter raises some other issue for example, welfare concerns or a breach of a Code of Conduct, then it can be referred a Public Authority or Public Officer.
If your matter raises a potential criminal offence, it will be referred to a Law Enforcement Agency.
The OPI may decide to take no further action on your matter if it has been previously dealt with, if the matter is trivial, vexatious or frivolous or there is other good reason to make this determination.
Sometimes we might need more information as part of the assessment process to help us to determine the next appropriate step. This process is not an investigation - the OPI has no investigative powers.
We aim to assess all matters in a timely manner. The time it takes to assess your matter will depend on several things including the complexity and number of issues raised.
Complainants and reporters who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their assessment as determined by the OPI may contact us again and request that we reconsider our decision. We call this process a review.
How can I make a complaint or report?
There are several ways you can make a complaint about a public officer.
Complete our online form (external site)
Call our office on 1300 782 489 and provide your complaint over the phone (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.00pm)
Complete a hard copy form and mail it to us (GPO Box 464, Adelaide SA 5000)
Please contact the OPI if you wish to book an appointment to make your complaint or report in person. Under the ICAC Act, in person interviews are available in relation to matters that are (in the opinion of the Director of OPI) sensitive, complex or of significant public interest
When making your complaint or report about corruption, misconduct or maladministration in public administration, it's helpful to have as much information as possible, including:
- names and positions of the people involved
- names and contact details of any private citizens and companies, and an explanation of how they are involved
- when and where the conduct occurred
- why you believe corruption, misconduct or maladministration is involved
- how you became aware of the matter
- names and contact details of any witnesses
- whether you have contacted other agencies about the matter
- other details (including documents or other evidence).
Our forms are easy to complete and will guide you through the process.
You can remain anonymous. However, it is helpful if you share your contact details with us so we can follow up if we need more information.
If you remain anonymous and we have more questions about your complaint, we may not be able to complete our assessment and you will not receive an outcome letter.
Your personal details will not be shared, except in certain circumstances.
