In most cases, you will need to pay a fee when you make a complaint to the Commissioner.
Section 72(2) of the Act provides as follows:
The Commissioner may—
The Attorney-General has approved the Commissioner fixing a fee of up to $110 (including GST) for the making of a complaint, and requiring the payment of any fee before he considers that complaint.
If a complainant complains about more than one practitioner, then the fee will be payable in relation to each practitioner unless the Commissioner decides otherwise.
In some circumstances, the Commissioner may decide to reduce or waive the payment of any such fee.
The Commissioner has a discretion to reduce the fee payable in a particular case.
On application, the Commissioner may reduce the fee to be paid to $55 (including GST) if the complainant provides:
The Commissioner may also consider other applications by a complainant to reduce or waive the fee payable due to financial hardship or special circumstances. To consider an application as to financial hardship, the complainant will need to provide at least one (and ideally more) of the following supporting information and documentation as relevant:
To consider an application as to special circumstances, the complainant will need to explain briefly what those circumstances are and if necessary provide evidence in support. Particular examples of special circumstances may include that the complainant is under 18 years of age or is in prison or detention.
If the Commissioner does not approve a reduction in or waiver of the fee, the complainant must pay the fee in full before the Commissioner will consider the complaint.
The Commissioner will refund any fee that a complainant has paid if:
The Commissioner also has a complete discretion to refund any fee that has been paid in any other circumstances.