Who can help? | Health Complaints Commissioner

Not sure where to start?

Use this simple decision tree to find out whether we can help you.

We will ask a series of 'Yes' or 'No' questions about your situation and based on your answers, we'll guide you to the most relevant information.

If we can't help, we'll refer you to an organisation that may be able to assist.

Is your enquiry about a Tasmanian health service provider? No Yes Unsure

Health Complaints Commissioner Tasmania helps resolve problems between people who use health services and health service providers in Tasmania.

Health services can include complaints about:

treatment
access to services
quality and safety
care and attention
respect and dignity
communication about healthcare services
your involvement in healthcare decisions
the way your health service provider handles your complaint.

Health service providers include:

public or private hospitals
community health services
registered providers such as doctors and dentists
unregistered health care workers, such as counsellors, alternative therapists and massage therapists.

If you are still unsure, please contact us so we can help you.

Would you like to make a complaint about a Tasmanian health service provider? No Yes

Please contact us so we can help you with your enquiry.

Have you made a complaint directly to the health service provider and received a response? No Yes

Based on your answers, you may be able to make a complaint to us.

Please see our complaints page to find out more about the complaint process, including how to make a complaint and links to our complaint forms.

Before making a complaint to us, please raise your issue with the health service provider concerned and try to resolve it directly with them.

Put your concerns in writing and give the provider a chance to respond.

If you would like some tips to help you increase your chances of having your complaint understood and acted upon, please see our tips for making a complaint.

If you are not satisfied with the provider’s answer, you can complain to the Health Complaints Commissioner.

If there is a reason you are not able to raise your concerns directly with the health service provider, please contact us.

Is your enquiry about a health service provider in another state or territory? No Yes

We can only help with the actions of Tasmanian health service providers.

For complaints about providers in other states and territories, please see Health complaints in other states and territories to find the contact details for the health complaints entity in your state or territory.

Is your enquiry about a registered health practitioner in Tasmania? No Yes

The Health Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) work together on complaints about registered health practitioners. If the issues raised in your complaint are better handled by Ahpra, we will refer the matter to Ahpra.

We will explain this process to you when we assess your complaint.

If you would like to make a complaint to us, please see our complaints page which includes information on our complaint process and links to our complaint forms.

Is your enquiry about an aged card provider? No Yes

Aged care providers do not fall within our responsibility. Please contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission for help.

Is your enquiry about a disability service provider? No Yes

Disabilty service providers do not fall within our responsibility. Please contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or the Disability Commissioner Tasmania for help.

Is your enquiry about private health insurance? No Yes

Private health insurance does not fall within our responsibility. Please contact the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman for help.

Is your enquiry about a breach of privacy and access to medical information? No Yes

Breaches of privacy and access to medical information do not fall within our responsibility.

For enquiries or complaints about public health service providers, contact the Tasmanian Ombudsman for help.

For enquiries or complaints about private health service providers, contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for help.

Is your enquiry about Medicare or health fraud? No Yes

Medicare and health fraud do not fall within our responsibility. Please contact Services Australia for help.

Is your enquiry about access to scheduled medications or restrictions to medication? No Yes

Access to scheduled medications and restrictions to medication do not fall within our responsibility. Please contact Pharmaceutical Services Branch for help.

Is your enquiry about a defective health-related product? No Yes

Defective health-related products do not fall within our responsibility. Please contact Consumer Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) for help.

Do you need a health advocate? No Yes

Advocacy Tasmania works with older people, people living with disability or mental health issues and people who use alcohol or drugs.

Advocacy is all about helping you to be heard and understood. Advocacy Tasmania can be contacted on 1800 005 131.

Are you having legal issues or are you seeking legal advice? No Yes

Please visit the legal services section on our referrals page for details of who you can contact for help.

From your answers to these questions, we couldn’t identify what assistance you need. Please contact us so we can help you.

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Last updated: 8 October 2026