Feedback and complaints

On this page:
The AFP welcomes positive feedback and supports your right to complain.
Note: Any emails sent directly to AFP members regarding complaints may be blocked by the email filter and not responded to.
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (English) (PDF, 1MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Arabic) (PDF, 3MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Chinese - Simplified) (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Chinese - Traditional) (PDF, 2MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Dari) (PDF, 2MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Farsi) (PDF, 2MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Indonesian) (PDF, 1MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Korean) (PDF, 2MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Somali) (PDF, 1MB)
- Feedback about the Australian Federal Police (Tamil) (PDF, 2MB)
Your right to complain
The AFP supports your right to complain. You can complain about:
- the conduct or actions of individual AFP appointees, or
- the practices and procedures of the AFP.
A complaint can be made even in circumstances where:
- the conduct or actions of the appointee occurred outside of Australia
- the appointee was off-duty and their conduct breaches the AFP professional standards, or
- the complainant cannot fully identify the AFP appointee concerned.
How to complain
A complaint must be lodged directly with the AFP. A complaint (excluding procurement-related complaints) can be lodged by:
- completing an online form
- attending or telephoning any AFP police station or office, or
- contacting or writing to Professional Standards.
For information on procurement-related complaints see section entitled ‘Procurement-related complaints’ below.
Complaint process
The AFP Professional Standards portfolio is responsible for the oversight and investigation of all complaints received by the AFP.
Minor complaints relating to discourtesy, minor misconduct and underperformance issues will be actioned by managers within the workplace and will generally involve an independent AFP appointee dealing directly with the complainant to resolve the issue.
Minor complaints can commonly be resolved through explanation of the law, explanation of police practice or by bringing the complainants concerns to the attention of the AFP appointee who is the subject of the complaint. The Professional Standards portfolio oversees outcomes of minor complaints.
Serious complaints will be investigated by Professional Standards.
The Commonwealth Law Enforcement Ombudsman is required to inspect AFP complaint records and report to the Australian Parliament, commenting on the adequacy and comprehensiveness of how the AFP has dealt with conduct and practices issues, as well as its handling of inquiries ordered by the relevant minister.
Complaints relating to corruption matters will be referred by the AFP Commissioner to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) for appropriate action.
Claiming compensation from us
If the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has made an error that has caused you a financial loss or some other detriment, you might be able to make a claim for compensation.
Online forms
These online forms may be used to lodge a complaint about the conduct or actions of individual AFP appointees, or the practices and procedures of the AFP.
Title | Description | More information |
---|---|---|
Complaint form | Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee, providing your own contact details. | See Professional standards |
Complaint form - on behalf of | Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee on behalf of someone else. | See Professional standards |
Complaint form - anonymous | Complain about the conduct of an AFP appointee anonymously. | See Professional standards |
It is important to ensure that all fields are completed with as much information as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay in processing your form.
If you have difficulties completing the forms, please contact AFP Professional Standards.
Procurement-related complaints
In accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) the AFP will apply timely, equitable and non-discriminatory procurement complaint management procedures.
The AFP will aim to resolve all matters internally by working directly with the complainant, where possible, through communication and conciliation.
All procurement-related complaints in relation to AFP procurement activities, in the first instance, should be raised with the AFP. This does not include contractual disputes which should be directed to the AFP Contract Manager as per the terms of the executed contract.
Formal procurement complaints must to be lodged by email addressed to the AFP Procurement Complaints Officer.
To assist the AFP in resolving complaints in a timely manner the emailed complaint should include the following information:
Procurement-related complaint checklist |
---|
Complainant contact details |
Company name (registered name and trading name/s)* |
ABN/ACN* |
Registered address* |
Telephone number/s* |
E-mail address/es* |
Complainant representative name and contact details (email address and phone number/s)* |
Information on the procurement |
AusTender ID (ATM ID/CN ID/SON ID)* |
Estimated contract value |
Product or service being procured* |
UNSPSC code |
Relevant times and dates (i.e. issuance of tender, tender closing, and contract award) |
Complaint particulars |
Detailed statement of all relevant events and facts in support of complaint* |
Relevant times and dates* |
Provisions of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules that have allegedly been breached* |
Statement of form of relief requested |
Remedy being sought* |
Complaint costs and/or tender preparation costs, if applicable* |
Postponement of contract award, if applicable* |
Attachments |
Any other information which will be of benefit to resolve the complaint including any correspondence or other evidence |
*Mandatory information for those procurement-related complaints which fall within the scope of the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (the Act).
Further information on procurement-related complaints refer to Department of Finance website.
Public interest certificates
Under the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 the AFP must publish all Public Interest Certificates (PICs) issued against relevant covered procurement activities.
A schedule (and copies) of PICs issued by the AFP for the current financial year can be found here.
Positive feedback
Use this form to provide positive feedback in relation to an AFP appointee. Alternatively you may attend or telephone any AFP police station or office, or write to AFP Professional Standards.
Title | Description | More information |
---|---|---|
Online feedback form | Provide positive feedback about an AFP appointee. | See Professional standards |
Contact
Professional Standards Operations Monitoring Centre | Professional Standards Operations Monitoring Centre PO Box 401 Canberra City ACT 2601 |
Ph: (02) 5127 2020 |