Agencies that accept complaints of workplace sexual harassment

The agencies listed on this page can receive complaints related to workplace sexual harassment.

Women working in call centre

The agencies listed on this page can receive complaints related to workplace sexual harassment. They each have different functions and powers to address workplace sexual harassment.

If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, there are a range of options that may be available for you. For example, you can report the behaviour directly to your supervisor or human resources area at work.

Alternatively, you may decide to make a formal complaint about the workplace sexual harassment to an external agency. In this case, you can seek help from an independent third party to address the workplace sexual harassment. Learn more about 'reporting workplace sexual harassment'. 

If you would like more information about which avenues may be best suited to your circumstances and desired outcomes, you can seek advice from one or more of the contacts listed under 'Services that can provide information about workplace rights and making a complaint'.

If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger you should call the police on 000

If you believe the workplace sexual harassment you have experienced involves criminal conduct, including actual or attempted sexual assault, you can report the matter to police. 

The Police Assistance Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and allows the reporting of a crime over the phone with the information being made immediately available to your local police.

If you have been sexually assaulted, you can contact the relevant office in your state or territory. For contact details, see 'Reporting sexual assault to the police'.

These agencies can investigate reports about human rights breaches and discrimination, including workplace sexual harassment:

The Australian Human Rights Commission (National body)

The ACT Human Rights Commission

Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission

Anti-Discrimination New South Wales

Queensland Human Rights Commission

SA Office of the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity Tasmania

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

WA Equal Opportunity Commission

If you have been treated unfairly or punished by your employer because you reported sexual harassment, you may be able to make a complaint to the Fair Work Commission.

In certain circumstances, they also have the power to issue a 'stop sexual harassment order' to try to stop the harassment from continuing. For more information or to check your eligibility, contact the Fair Work Commission.

  • Phone: 1300 799 675                    
  • Website: fwc.gov.au

The Fair Work Ombudsman is Australia’s national workplace relations regulator. It provides employees and employers with information and advice about workplace entitlements and obligations.

The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide employees and employers with general information about protections from sexual harassment, prevention and managing sexual harassment in the workplace.

  • Phone: 13 13 94                 
  • Website: fairwork.gov.au

Everyone has the right to be safe at work. Your employer has a responsibility to provide you with a safe working environment.

The WHS regulator in your state or territory may be able to investigate whether your employer is doing all they need to do to provide its workers with a safe working environment. You can also contact your WHS regulator if you feel you have been treated unfairly, or punished, because you raised concerns about workplace sexual harassment

Australian Capital Territory

WorkSafe ACT

New South Wales

Safe Work NSW

  • SafeWork NSW is the workplace health and safety regulator for NSW (with the exception of mines and petroleum sites).
  • Website: www.safework.nsw.gov.au 
  • Phone: 13 10 50

NSW Resources Regulator 

  • The NSW Resources Regulator is the state’s work health and safety regulator for mines and petroleum sites. This includes open-cut and underground mines, petroleum sites, quarries and extractive operations, tourist mines, opal and other small-scale mines and mining exploration activities. 
  • Website: www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au  
  • Email: cau@planning.nsw.gov.au 
  • Phone: 1300 814 609 

Northern Territory

NT WorkSafe

Queensland

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland - Office of Industrial Relations

Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) 

  • The DNRME provides support for the safety and health of all Queensland miners and people working in allied industries. The department administers associated regulations and recognised standards, guidelines and codes of practice related to mining and petroleum, and energy regulation including for electricity and licensing. 
  • Website: https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/  
  • Phone: 13 74 68 

South Australia

SafeWork SA

Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Victoria

WorkSafe Victoria

Western Australia

WorkSafe WA

 

Respect@Work acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images and voices of people who have died.

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