Victorian Ombudsman

Last week, as part of National Reconciliation Week, we welcomed Kelsey Love and Kylie Clarke from Wanyaari for a cultural awareness workshop. We celebrated this year’s theme, ‘All in for Reconciliation’ with an all-staff session focused on deepening our understanding of First Nations history and culture in Victoria. Kelsey and Kylie led us through a discussion of contemporary First Peoples' lived experiences and perspectives and helped us explore reconciliation in a workplace context.

The session also provided us an opportunity to learn more about Victoria's Treaty including the important reforms underway to make Victoria a fairer state for everyone and ensure First Peoples' have a say over the policies that impact them and their communities.

Service update: Our phone line will be closed over the long weekend for the Kings Birthday public holiday on Monday. Normal services will resume on Tuesday morning at 9am. In the meantime, you can still make a complaint online → https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/complaints/

Have a problem with a service? We’re here to help.

Come along next Tuesday and speak directly with representatives from the Victorian Ombudsman, Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) and Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). Get free, independent advice on issues relating to government services, energy, water and telecommunications.

🗓Tuesday, 9 June 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Pangerang Community Hub, 38 Ovens Street, Wangaratta VIC

Ask questions about your rights, get help resolving complaints and learn how Ombudsman services can support you.

The event is free, confidential, and open to everyone. No appointment required. Tea and coffee provided.

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme, ‘All in for Reconciliation’ calls on all Australians to commit to reconciliation every single day. The theme reminds us that reconciliation and advancing First Peoples’ rights is everyone’s responsibility. Through listening, learning and meaningful action, we all have a role to play in building a fair and inclusive future for all.

The dates for Reconciliation Week mark two key milestones: the 27 May 1967 referendum that recognised First Peoples as part of the Australian population; and the 3 June 1992 High Court Mabo decision which inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law.

At the Victorian Ombudsman, we are committed to upholding the rights of First Peoples in their interactions with the State. We reaffirm our dedication to promoting equity, elevating voices that are too often unheard, and fostering culturally safe environments within our organisation and throughout the communities we serve.

Artwork: Maddison Laws, Biyala (‘gum tree’ in Yorta Yorta)

Today we recognise National Sorry Day, remembering the Stolen Generations and acknowledging the deep and ongoing impact of past policies on First Peoples. Up to the 1970s, race-based government policies saw thousands of First Peoples children forcibly removed from their families and communities. Many experienced neglect, abuse and exploitative labour, and this period resulted in intergenerational disruptions to culture, community and family connections that continue to be felt today.

We are proud to share some artwork by VO team member Maddison Laws. The piece is titled Borrinyu, meaning ‘branch of river’ in Yorta Yorta. Just as rivers sustain Country by carrying life through every branch and stream, Borrinyu honours the many voices and stories moving forward together to create positive change.

At the Victorian Ombudsman, we are committed to honouring truth, healing and reconciliation. As implementation of Treaty continues, we will continue to support the rights of First Peoples to be treated fairly and to engage meaningfully with the State.

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we recognise the importance of building inclusive digital experiences for all Victorians. Accessibility is a shared responsibility, and the Victorian Ombudsman is committed to being accessible to all.

If you need help communicating with us, please let us know. We’ll do what we can to assist you. There are also some other services available if you need help to make a complaint:
— National Relay Service: Choose preferred NRS channel then 1800 806 314
— Get help in your language: Translating and Interpreting Service 131 450
— Translation of written documents (you can ask for to translate our correspondence by calling us on 03 9613 6222 or using the contacts above).

You can also view Easy English information about making a complaint on our website → https://ombudsman.vic.gov.au/easy-english-documents/

Want to know more about your rights when adulting, renting, working and staying out of trouble? Join us today at our Law Week session – Flying the coop: A practical guide to growing up and moving out.

Learn how to spot issues early and where you can find help if things go wrong. You’ll be met with:
→ free food and drinks
→ friendly experts who get what you're going through
→ no judgement, just answers.

For more information visit → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/program/flying-the-coop-a-practical-guide-to-growing-up-and-moving-out

Today we’ll be joined by members of and Water Ombudsman Victoria and the Industry Ombudsman for a Law Week session: The Gentle Art of Making a Complaint.

Complaints are not just cathartic; formal complaints are essential for improving services and creating real change. Join us for an engaging and informative discussion on the role of an Ombudsman in investigating and resolving complaints. You’ll learn how to make your complaints well-informed and effective when dealing with public services and other organisations.

Tuesday 19 May
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Bendigo Library
259 Hargreaves St, Bendigo Vic 3550

For more information visit → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/program/the-gentle-art-of-making-a-complaint

It’s Law Week!

From 18–24 May, celebrate Victorian Law Week with us and the Law Foundation, a week focused on making the law more transparent and accessible for all Victorians. It’s an opportunity to learn how the law impacts your everyday life and build the confidence to navigate it.

Where you can find us this week:
→ Tuesday 19 May – The Gentle Are of Making a Complaint, Bendigo Library
→ Wednesday 20 May – Flying the coop: A Practical Guide to Growing Up and Moving Out, Bendigo Library
→ Wednesday 20 May – Law Week Storytime, Bendigo Library
→ Friday 22 May – Whittlesea Fix It Friday, Whittlesea Community House

For more info or to explore the full program of events → https://www.viclawweek.org.au/

This Sunday is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. Everyone deserves to feel heard, safe and respected for who they are.

If you think you’ve been treated unfairly when dealing with public services in Victoria, you have the right to make a complaint. You can complain about the actions and decisions of public bodies, such as state government departments, agencies like WorkSafe and VicRoads, and local councils.
You can speak up for yourself or for someone else. Your voice can make a real difference in the community and help overcome barriers, including issues related to:

- public healthcare, education and housing
- participating in public life and using public facilities and services
- the promotion and protection of human rights, including equality.
Through complaints, we can create change and help ensure that laws, policies and practices are fair for everyone in the Victorian community.

For more information, or to make a complaint, visit our website → https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/