Complaints

If you have a complaint about the conduct of staff, consultants and/or Board members of a NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council, or staff and/or Councillors of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), we're keen to hear from you.

Our legislation limits what we can investigate. The Office of the Registrar, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) can handle complaints about matters directly related to provisions of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 and Aboriginal Land Rights Regulations 2014.

What you can complain to NSWALC about

NSWALC can only deal with complaints where it has legal jurisdiction to assess certain matters. Examples of these matters are:

  • An expression of dissatisfaction relating to NSWALC
  • An expression of dissatisfaction in relation to a NSWALC Councillor, employee, contractor or consultant
  • Matters that concern corruption under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988
  • Matters that concern compliance with the Ombudsman Act 1974
  • Matters that concern compliance with the Government Information Public Access Act 2009
  • A dispute concerning the operation of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 or Aboriginal Land Rights Regulation 2002 where NSWALC has been requested by both parties to mediate, conciliate or arbitrate the dispute

What you cannot complain to NSWALC about

NSWALC does not deal with complaints where it does not have legal jurisdiction to assess or determine such matters. Some examples of matters which NSWALC cannot resolve are:

  • Allegations concerning pecuniary interests – the Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 has jurisdiction to determine these matters
  • Allegations concerning misbehaviour – the Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 has jurisdiction to determine these matters
  • LALC tenancy issues - The NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) is responsible for determining tenancy issues in NSW
  • LALC employer/employee issues - these matters are regulated under industrial relation laws and the LALC Board is responsible for LALC employment matters
  • LALC policy and procedures - these matters are decided by the LALC members at a meeting and the LALC Board would be the appropriate body to raise any concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of LALC policy and procedures
  • Membership applications - applications for membership to a LALC are specifically for the LALC members to decide at a LALC meeting
  • Criminal matters e.g. assaults, domestic violence, theft or damage to property - these matters should be reported to the NSW Police

As the LALC Board is responsible for directing and controlling the affairs of the LALC, members should approach the LALC Chairperson to resolve local issues if they are dissatisfied with its day-to-day operational activities.

If you would like to pursue mediation to resolve community matters, the NSW Government provides a free mediation service throughout NSW. To find out more about the service see the Community Justice Centres website.

How to make a complaint?

Complaints can be made to NSWALC using your preferred method.


All complaints received by NSWALC are given equal priority.

Attached to this information sheet is a Factsheet and a NSWALC complaint form which is the preferred way for you to provide all the relevant information NSWALC requires when we assess your complaint.

How to make a complaint?

Complaints can be made to NSWALC using your preferred method.


All complaints received by NSWALC are given equal priority.

Attached to this information sheet is a Factsheet and a NSWALC complaint form which is the preferred way for you to provide all the relevant information NSWALC requires when we assess your complaint.

Where to direct your complaint