• Section 2 - Application and Scope
• Section 3 - Policy Principles
• Section 4 - General Principles of Complaints Management
• Section 5 - Procedural Fairness    
• Section 6 - Conflict of Interest
• Section 7 - Confidentiality and Privacy
• Section 8 - Appeal
• Section 9 - Anonymous Complaints 
• Section 10 - Record Keeping
• Section 11 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Specific Responsibilities of Specialist Units
• Section 12 - Definitions

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to set out the University of Wollongong’s (the University) approach to managing and where possible, resolving general complaints raised by staff, students and community members.

Section 2 - Application and Scope

(2) This Policy applies to students, staff and community members who have a general complaint about:

1. the action or inaction of the University; 
2. its staff, students, services or facilities; or
3. the University’s policies or processes.

(3) This policy applies to general complaints that are:

1. undertaken at any Australian campus,
2. elsewhere, where a staff member or student is representing the University. This includes staff/student conduct during work for example clinical placements, practicums or other student professional experience, field trips, academic or sporting competitions, or in association with University residences or the use of University equipment or resources (e.g. communication technologies, vehicles, facilities etc).

(4) This Policy does not apply to:

1. UOW Global Enterprises or UOW Pulse (Investigations by the Complaints Management Centre to these entities may only proceed under the direction and approval of the Vice-Chancellor and President);
2. a complaint where there already exists a separate University complaint, review or appeal process detailed in legislation, a current University policy document or other instrument (e.g. UOW Enterprise Agreements). These include:
   1. student academic matters;
   2. student misconduct;
   3. staff misconduct;
   4. research misconduct;
   5. staff performance;
   6. a breach of privacy.
3. a complaint that is (or may be) a Public Interest Disclosure (PID);
4. concerns relating to the application, interpretation or implementation of conditions of employment under the University’s Enterprise Agreements;
5. matters relating to workplace health and safety and workers compensation;
6. the conduct of third parties such as contractors or persons employed by host organisations in connection with student professional placements (Complaints about third parties should be managed through relevant arrangements between the University and the third party (such as contractual provisions, the provisions of the agreement between the University and the Host Organisation or any other relevant agreement); or
7. feedback or a request for service.

(5) The University may conduct investigations under different processes simultaneously.

(6) If other issues are identified on investigation of a general complaint, the general complaint process may cease and be directed to another investigative or complaint process.

(7) When a general complaint is received and the matter is under investigation by the Police, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority or other external agencies such as the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, the Australian Human Rights Commission or the NSW Ombudsman, the University may cease or not commence action under this Policy until those investigations have concluded.

(8) A formal general complaint that is submitted more than 12 months after the event will be assessed on a case-by-case basis as to whether the complaint should be considered after this timeframe.

Section 3 - Policy Principles

(9) The University is committed to:

1. resolving complaints within a reasonable timeframe and with minimum disruption or distress to the parties involved;    
2. seeking and receiving feedback and complaints about our services, systems, practices, policies, procedures and the handling of complaints;
3. taking all reasonable steps to ensure that people making complaints are not adversely affected because a complaint has been made by them or on their behalf;
4. providing access to a complaint process that is easy to understand;
5. ensuring the complaints management framework is easily understood and accessible;
6. implementing best practice in our complaint management processes;
7. ensuring staff who are responsible for managing complaints have access to training, resources support and advice in complaints management; and
8. responding to changes in legislative requirements and responsibilities in terms of complaint handling and updating  processes accordingly.

Section 4 - General Principles of Complaints Management

(10) The University aims to address complaints at a low level (as close to the source as possible) unless it is not practical or appropriate to do so (for example if there is a perceived conflict of interest). In these circumstances, a complaint will be escalated to a designated senior officer or the Complaints Management Centre (CMC).

(11) The management of complaints within the University will be used as an opportunity for continuous improvement.

(12) There is no charge for lodging a complaint.

(13) Complaints must be investigated in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness.

(14) All parties involved in a complaint must be treated with respect and impartiality.

(15) All parties involved will be expected to approach proceedings with a genuine desire to resolve the complaint in good faith.

(16) Individuals must not victimise or harass other parties involved in the matter.

(17) Confidentiality must be adhered by all participants and at all stages of the complaints process, disclosure will be limited to a need-to-know basis.

(18) Complainants and respondents must be informed of the progress and the outcome of the complaint and be provided with reasons for the outcome reached. This information is to be provided in accordance with the University’s privacy legislation obligations and the provisions of the relevent Staff Enterprise Agreement. This may mean a complainant or respondent is not provided with information about any action taken that is confidential.

(19) The University encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution strategies where it is appropriate and where the parties to the complaint support such an approach. These alternatives may include mediation, conciliation and other forms of facilitated negotiation, designed to seek a mutually acceptable resolution to the complaint.

(20) When complaints cannot be resolved using an alternative dispute resolution strategy the senior officer facilitating the progress is responsible for directing the complainant to the formal complaints process. Alternative dispute resolution strategies are not an appropriate action in response to sexual assault, sexual harassment or general assault. In such instances you must refer to the specialist unit for advice.

(21) The University reserves the right to not progress a complaint. Reasons may include:

1. there is insufficient information to allow a proper assessment and/or investigation to occur;
2. the complaint is found to be trivial or petty;
3. the complaint is vexatious or frivolous or seeks to re-agitate issues that have already been addressed or determined; and/or
4. the issue or incident occurred outside a timeframe in which the University is reasonably able to investigate.

(22) Where a complaint is not progressed, reasons will be provided to the complainant.

(23) Any staff members or students who makes a complaint that is false or vexatious will be considered to have engaged in misconduct and/or serious misconduct and as such be subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal.

(24) The University reserves the right to pause or cease a complaint process where a complainant or respondent has engaged in unreasonable conduct during the complaint process.

(25) Unreasonable conduct of staff may be referred to People and Culture Division for staff, or  Safe and Respectful Communities Team for student.

Section 5 - Procedural Fairness    

(26) The University is committed to upholding a respectful and equitable process for addressing complaints, valuing the voices of both complainants and respondents. This entails affording both parties the opportunity to present their perspectives, offer supporting evidence, and address any adverse determinations that may arise.

(27) It is important that all parties involved in the investigation or resolution of a complaint adhere to principles of fairness and impartiality and are free from bias. Complaints must be assessed and managed with integrity and objectivity, relying on relevant information to substantiate their decisions while providing clear justifications for their findings.

(28) In adhering to the principles of procedural fairness parties can expect that:

1. the process for lodging a complaint is easy to access and easy to understand;
2. they will receive timely, reliable, clear information and advice;
3. they will be kept up to date of progress during the investigation; and
4. have the complaint dealt with confidentially and within an appropriate timeframe.

Section 6 - Conflict of Interest

(29) Where there is an actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest on the part of a complaint handler, the complaint must be referred to the next level of management to deal with the complaint.  Any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest must be declared and appropriately managed in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy.

Section 7 - Confidentiality and Privacy

(30) The University  will take all reasonable steps to ensure that information relating to complaints at the University are handled in a confidential manner an in accordance with its privacy obligations, unless an exception applies under law.

(31) The Universityis committed to managing complaints in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

(32) The collection and use of an individual’s personal information will be limited to the extent that it is reasonably necessary, in order to deal with the complaint in line with relevant University policies and processes.

(33) In certain circumstances, the University may have a legal obligation to report information provided by a complainant, or in connection with a complaint, to the police, other law enforcement agencies or court of law, a government department or another public body (such as the Independent Commission Against Corruption). Information may also be provided if it is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the life, health or safety of any individual.

(34) Non-identifying information will be used by the University to monitor complaint trends in order to assist with continuous process improvement opportunities.

Section 8 - Appeal

(35) A complainant whose complaint is not upheld and who is dissatisfied with the outcome has the opportunity to appeal against the decision.

(36) Appeal options will be clearly communicated at the time of notification of the outcome of the complaint.

(37) Appeals are to be lodged no later than 20 working days after notification of the outcome of the complaint. Appeals submitted outside this timeframe will be considered on a case by case basis assuming exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

(38) Appeals will only be considered based on:

1. the decision is not reasonably supported by the available evidence; and/or
2. new and relevant evidence is provided that was not available or known at the time of lodging the complaint; and/or
3. lack of procedural fairness.

(39) The appeal must be conducted by a person more senior to the person who handled the complaint on the first occasion, or by the CMC as directed by a Senior Executive if no such person is available.

(40) Complainants may choose to contact a relevant external agency for advice or assistance at any stage through-out the complaints process. Examples of external agencies may include but are not limited to:

1. the NSW Ombudsman;
2. the Anti-Discrimination Board;
3. the Australian Human Rights Commission; and
4. he NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Section 9 - Anonymous Complaints 

(41) The University accepts anonymous complaints and aims to investigate such complaints if possible. However, if there is insufficient or unclear detail provided, the University may be unable to progress the complaint.

(42) Complainants may request that their identity be withheld from the complaint handler and the respondent. The CMC will consider the request and advise the complainant whether this is viable. There may be some instances where the nature of a complaint is so personalised, it is not possible to progress a complaint without the complainant being identifiable.

Section 10 - Record Keeping

(43) Records and documents created in the course of investigating the complaint must be stored and retained in accordance with the Records Management Policy.

Section 11 - Roles and Responsibilities

(44) The University is responsible for:

1. ensuring that this Policy is accessible to all staff, students and community members;
2. ensuring that this Policy is implemented and applied consistently across all faculties, divisions, units and campuses to which it applies;
3. promoting best practice in investigating and, where possible, resolving complaints;
4. ensuring that the procedures for investigating and, where possible, resolving complaints adhere to the principles of procedural fairness; and
5. analysing and reporting complaint data to improve University service and performance.

(45) Staff who have a complaint referred to them are responsible for:

1. identifying the appropriate management mechanism and, where necessary, managing complaints according to that policy or procedure;
2. attempting to resolve complaints that fall into their area of responsibility and decision-making authority;
3. referring complaints to the next level of management if they have insufficient authority to handle the complaint and/or to implement a resolution;
4. addressing and acknowledging complaints in a timely manner;
5. accurately documenting and recording all aspects of their dealings during the complaints management process;
6. observing privacy and confidentiality obligations; and
7. referring and or seeking advice from specialist units.

(46) Complainants are responsible for:

1. providing a clear and honest account of their concerns and their expectations for the outcome of their complaint, including providing all relevant information and documents to assist in the consideration, management and/or resolution of the matter;
2. engaging openly in the complaint handling process, including participating in discussions with the complaint handler to resolve their concerns;
3. responding to University requests for information in a timely manner;
4. being courteous to individuals involved in the complaint handling process; and
5. observing privacy and confidentiality obligations.

(47) Respondents are responsible for:

1. providing a clear and honest account of their actions, concerns and their expectations for the outcome of the complaint, including providing all relevant information and documents to assist in the consideration, management and/or resolution of the matter;
2. engaging openly in the complaint handling process, including participating in discussions with the complaint handler in an attempt to resolve concerns raised by the complainant;
3. not taking any adverse action or retribution towards the complainant or any other parties involved in the matter;
4. responding to University requests for information in a timely manner;
5. being courteous to individuals involved in the complaint handling process; and
6. observing privacy and confidentiality obligations.

Specific Responsibilities of Specialist Units

(48) Specialist Units should be contacted for advice on how to handle a general complaint at the local level. Suspected unlawful behaviour must be referred to the relevant Specialist Unit to investigate in the first instance.

(49) The CMC is responsible for:

1. receiving, assessing and referring complaints to the appropriate units for investigation and response;
2. the collection, analysis and reporting of complaint data;
3. providing advice, training and guidance to University staff who deal with complaints;
4. responding to enquiries from external agencies relating to complaints;
5. ensuring the complaints management system is compliant with applicable legislation and industry best practice; and
6. ensuring complainants and respondents are informed of support services available to them;

(50) The CMC may, but is not limited to, managing complaints that relate to:

1. concerns relating to the conduct of an investigation carried out by the University including, but not limited to, the treatment, quality, timeliness and accuracy of the investigation (excluding matters covered by the appeal processes relating to specific complaints);
2. complaints for which there is no established internal process under a University policy for investigation or review;
3. complaints that require the involvement of several areas of the University and require a coordinated response; or

(51) Investigations undertaken by the CMC are confined to the University and may only extend to its controlled entities or associated bodies under the direction and approval of the Vice-Chancellor and President.

(52) The CMC will not investigate matters that are already managed by other areas of the University unless directed to do so by the Vice-Chancellor and President or a member of the Senior Executive.

(53) The People and Culture Division is responsible for:

1. University staffing policies and procedures;
2. Employee entitlements;
3. Staff consultations and resolutions of disputes relating to employment; and
4. Reportable conduct involving children or young people (under 18).

Section 12 - Definitions