Commonwealth Ombudsman
Summary
The Commonwealth Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the executive government to a 5-year renewable term. The office investigates complaints from members of the public about the administrative actions and decisions of Australian Government agencies. The Ombudsman has powers to require the production of documents and to examine persons on oath, providing full compel-testimony and subpoena authority. The Ombudsman also performs the roles of Defence Force Ombudsman, Immigration Ombudsman, Law Enforcement Ombudsman, and Postal Industry Ombudsman, and acts as the ACT Ombudsman under a separate arrangement. The office reports annually to Parliament and may issue special reports on matters of public interest.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Ombudsman Act 1976 (No. 181, 1976)
- Citation
- No. 181, 1976
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Commonwealth government departments, agencies, and prescribed private sector entities (including Australian Federal Police); investigates complaints about administrative actions