VICIn ForceAct
Ombudsman Act 1973
Sch 3Persons and bodies to whom or which the Ombudsman
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Schedule 3—Persons and bodies to whom or which the Ombudsman
may refer complaints
1 The Auditor-General
2 The Chief Commissioner of Police
2A The Commission for Children and Young People
3 The Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
4 The Information Commissioner, in the Information Commissioner's capacity under the **Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014**
5 The Director of Public Prosecutions
6 The Electoral Boundaries Commission
7 The Inspector-General for Emergency Management
8 The Environment Protection Authority
9 The Health Complaints Commissioner
10 The IBAC
10AA The Judicial Commission
10A The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
12 The Racing Integrity Commissioner
14 Safe Transport Victoria
15 The Victorian Electoral Commission
16 The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
17 Integrity Oversight Victoria
18 The Victorian WorkCover Authority
19 A coroner
20 A Royal Commission, whether established under the **Inquiries Act 2014** or under the prerogative of the Crown
21 A Board of Inquiry established under the **Inquiries Act 2014**
21A A Formal Review established under the **Inquiries Act 2014**
22 The Chief Municipal Inspector appointed under section 182 of the **Local Government Act 2020**
23 A prescribed person or body
24 The Victorian Disability Worker Commission
25 The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission
Endnotes
1 General information
See [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
The **Ombudsman Act 1973** was assented to on 17 April 1973 and came into operation on 30 October 1973: Government Gazette 30 October 1973 page 3595.
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the **Ombudsman Act 1973** by Acts and subordinate instruments.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
**Ombudsman Act 1973, No. 8414/1973**
| *Assent Date:* | 17.4.73 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 37(4) inserted on 26.4.21 by No. 11/2021 s. 163: s. 2(2) |
| *Note:* | S. 37(4) repealed s. 37 on 26.4.23 |
**Ombudsman (Exemption) Act 1974, No. 8651/1974**
| Assent Date: | 17.12.74 |
| Commencement Date: | 17.12.74 |
**Ombudsman (Municipalities) Act 1976, No. 8884/1976**
| Assent Date: | 19.10.76 |
| Commencement Date: | 1.1.77: Government Gazette 22.12.76 p. 3739 |
**Statute Law Revision Act 1977, No. 9059/1977**
| Assent Date: | 29.11.77 |
| Commencement Date: | 29.11.77; subject to s. 2(2) |
**Ombudsman (Co-operation) Act 1979, No. 9256/1979**
| Assent Date: | 26.6.79 |
| Commencement Date: | 26.6.79 |
**Police Regulation (Amendment) Act 1985, No. 10250/1985**
| Assent Date: | 10.12.85 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 22 never proclaimed, repealed by No. 14/1988 s. 19 |
**Mental Health Act 1986, No. 59/1986**
| Assent Date: | 3.6.86 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 143(2)(Sch. 7) on 1.10.87: Government Gazette 30.9.87 p. 2585 |
**Deputy Ombudsman (Police Complaints) Act 1988, No. 14/1988**
| Assent Date: | 11.5.88 |
| Commencement Date: | 11.5.88: Government Gazette 11.5.88 p. 1150 |
**State Superannuation Act 1988, No. 50/1988**
| Assent Date: | 24.5.88 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 93(2) (Sch. 2 item 42) on 1.7.88: Government Gazette 1.6.88 p. 1487 |
**Local Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1989 No. 12/1989** (as amended by No. 13/1990)
| Assent Date: | 9.5.89 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 86.1–86.13) on 1.11.89: Government Gazette 1.11.89 p. 2798 |
**Police Regulation (Amendment) Act 1989, No. 15/1989**
| Assent Date: | 16.5.89 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 1–32 on 16.5.89; s. 33 on 23.8.89: Government Gazette 23.8.89 p. 2146 |
**Legal Profession Practice (Amendment) Act 1989, No. 35/1989**
| Assent Date: | 6.6.89 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 22 on 20.9.89: Government Gazette 20.9.89 p. 2404 |
**Magistrates' Court (Consequential Amendments) Act 1989, No. 57/1989**
| Assent Date: | 14.6.89 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. item 143) on 1.9.90: Government Gazette 25.7.90 p. 2217. |
**Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 1989, No. 62/1989**
| Assent Date: | 12.9.89 |
| Commencement Date: | 12.12.89: Special Gazette (No. 72) 12.12.89 p. 1 |
**Local Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1993, No. 125/1993**
| Assent Date: | 7.12.93 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 20(9) on 7.12.93: s. 2 (4) |
**Miscellaneous Acts (Omnibus Amendments) Act 1995, No. 100/1995**
| Assent Date: | 5.12.95 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 32(Sch. 2 item 4) on 5.12.95: s. 2(1) |
**Public Sector Management and Parliamentary Officers (Amendment) Act 1996, No. 24/1996**
| Assent Date: | 2.7.96 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 33(1) on 16.11.93: s. 2(2); rest of Act on 2.7.96:<br>s. 2(1) |
**Legal Practice Act 1996, No. 35/1996**
| Assent Date: | 6.11.96 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 453(Sch. 1 item 62) on 1.1.97 s. 2(3) |
**Audit (Amendment) Act 1997, No. 93/1997**
| Assent Date: | 16.12.97 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 26(2) on 16.12.97: s. 2(1); s. 26(1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2) |
**State Trustees (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 15/1998**
| Assent Date: | 28.4.98 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 10 on 1.7.98: Government Gazette 18.6.98 p. 1511 |
**Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998**
| Assent Date: | 26.5.98 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2) |
**Melbourne City Link (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 102/1998**
| Assent Date: | 1.12.98 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 34–37 on 1.12.98: s. 2(1) |
**Police Regulation (Amendment) Act 1999, No. 61/1999**
| Assent Date: | 21.12.99 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 20(Sch. item 2) on 2.4.00: Government Gazette 30.3.00 p. 569 |
**Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000**
| Assent Date: | 21.11.00 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 92) on 22.11.00: s. 2(1) |
**Information Privacy Act 2000, No. 98/2000**
| Assent Date: | 12.12.00 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 79, 80 on 1.9.01: s. 2(2) |
**Health Records Act 2001, No. 2/2001**
| Assent Date: | 10.4.01 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 113, 114 on 1.7.02: s. 2(2) |
**Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001, No. 36/2001**
| Assent Date: | 19.6.01 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 114 on 19.6.01: s. 2(1); ss 113, 115 on 1.1.02: s. 2(2) |
**Electoral Act 2002, No. 23/2002**
| Assent Date: | 12.6.02 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 201 on 1.9.02: Government Gazette 29.8.02 p. 2333 |
**Animals Legislation (Animal Welfare) Act 2003, No. 103/2003**
| Assent Date: | 9.12.03 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 30(1)(3) on 10.12.03: s. 2(1); s. 30(2)(4) on 1.12.05: s. 2(3) |
**Ombudsman Legislation (Police Ombudsman) Act 2004, No. 32/2004**
| Assent Date: | 1.6.04 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 3–8 on 2.6.04: s. 2 |
**Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004, No. 56/2004**
| Assent Date: | 21.9.04 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 76–78 on 1.10.04: s. 2 |
**Major Crime Legislation (Office of Police Integrity) Act 2004, No. 63/2004**
| Assent Date: | 12.10.04 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 7 on 16.11.04: Special Gazette (No. 237) 16.11.04 p. 1 |
**Major Crime (Investigative Powers) Act 2004, No. 79/2004**
| Assent Date: | 16.11.04 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 71–73 on 16.11.04: Special Gazette (No. 237) 16.11.04 p. 2 |
**Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004**
| Assent Date: | 21.12.04 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 144) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 |
**Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2005, No. 18/2005**
| Assent Date: | 24.5.05 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 18(Sch. 1 item 73) on 12.12.05: Government Gazette 1.12.05 p. 2781 |
**Disability Act 2006, No. 23/2006**
| Assent Date: | 16.5.06 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 246 on 1.7.07: s. 2(3) |
**Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2006, No. 29/2006**
| Assent Date: | 6.6.06 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 25) on 7.6.06: s. 2(1) |
**Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, No. 43/2006**
| Assent Date: | 25.7.06 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 47(Sch. item 2) on 1.1.07: s. 2(1) |
**Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006**
| Assent Date: | 10.10.06 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 20 on 11.10.06: s. 2(1) |
**Animals Legislation Amendment (Animal Care) Act 2007, No. 65/2007**
| Assent Date: | 11.12.07 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 111, 112 on 1.9.09: Special Gazette (No. 298) 1.9.09 p. 1 |
**Police Integrity Act 2008, No. 34/2008**
| Assent Date: | 1.7.08 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 143(Sch. 2 item 9) on 5.12.08: Special Gazette (No. 340) 4.12.08 p. 1 |
**Public Administration Amendment Act 2009, No. 27/2009**
| Assent Date: | 17.6.09 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 16, 17 on 18.6.09: s. 2(1) |
**Statute Law Amendment (Evidence Consequential Provisions) Act 2009, No. 69/2009**
| Assent Date: | 24.11.09 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 54(Sch. Pt 2 item 37) on 1.1.10: s. 2(2) |
**Statute Law Revision Act 2011, No. 29/2011**
| Assent Date: | 21.6.11 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 64) on 22.6.11: s. 2(1) |
**Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011, No. 66/2011**
| Assent Date: | 29.11.11 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 42 on 1.7.12: s. 2(2) |
**Victorian Inspectorate Act 2011, No. 70/2011**
| Assent Date: | 29.11.11 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 46 on 1.7.12: s. 2(2) |
**Public Interest Monitor Act 2011, No. 72/2011**
| Assent Date: | 6.12.11 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 52 on 18.9.12: Special Gazette (No. 316) 18.9.12 p. 1 |
**Freedom of Information Amendment (Freedom of Information Commissioner) Act 2012, No. 6/2012**
| Assent Date: | 6.3.12 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 43–47 on 1.12.12: s. 2(2) |
**Statute Law Revision Act 2012, No. 43/2012**
| Assent Date: | 27.6.12 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. item 36) on 28.6.12: s. 2(1) |
**Evidence Amendment (Journalist Privilege) Act 2012, No. 52/2012**
| Assent Date: | 18.9.12 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 21 on 1.1.13: s. 2(2) |
**Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2012, No. 82/2012**
| Assent Date: | 18.12.12 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 224–251 on 10.2.13: Special Gazette (No. 32) 6.2.13 p. 2; s. 313 on 11.2.13: s. 2(5) |
**Protected Disclosure Act 2012, No. 85/2012**
| Assent Date: | 18.12.12 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 144–173 on 10.2.13: Special Gazette (No. 32) 6.2.13 p. 2 |
**Courts Legislation Amendment (Reserve Judicial Officers) Act 2013, No. 5/2013**
| Assent Date: | 26.2.13 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 63 on 17.4.13: Special Gazette (No. 141) 16.4.13 p. 1 |
**Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Officers) Act 2013, No. 63/2013**
| Assent Date: | 6.11.13 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 93, 94 on 1.2.14: s. 2(2) |
**Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, No. 67/2013**
| Assent Date: | 12.11.13 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 649(Sch. 9 item 26) on 1.7.14: s. 2(1) |
**Emergency Management Act 2013, No. 73/2013**
| Assent Date: | 3.12.13 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 97 on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 148) 13.5.14 p. 1 |
**Court Services Victoria Act 2014, No. 1/2014**
| Assent Date: | 11.2.14 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 69–71 on 1.7.14: s. 2(2) |
**Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, No. 17/2014**
| *Assent Date:* | 25.3.14 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 160(Sch. 2 item 66) on 1.7.15: Special Gazette (No. 151) 16.6.15 p. 1 |
**Mental Health Act 2014, No. 26/2014**
| *Assent Date:* | 8.4.14 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 455(Sch. item 21) on 1.7.14: s. 2(1) |
**Transport Legislation Amendment (Further Taxi Reform and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 35/2014**
| *Assent Date:* | 13.5.14 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 62 on 30.6.14: Special Gazette (No. 188) 17.6.14 p. 1 |
**Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014**
| *Assent Date:* | 3.6.14 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 10(Sch. item 119) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2 |
**Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, No. 60/2014**
| Assent Date: | 2.9.14 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 140(Sch. 3 item 33) on 17.9.14: Special Gazette (No. 317) 16.9.14 p. 1 |
**Inquiries Act 2014, No. 67/2014**
| Assent Date: | 23.9.14 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 147(Sch. 2 item 27) on 15.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 364) 14.10.14 p. 2 |
**Judicial Commission of Victoria Act 2016, No. 16/2016**
| Assent Date: | 19.4.16 |
| Commencement Date: | Ss 201–203 on 1.7.17: s. 2(2) |
**Health Complaints Act 2016, No. 22/2016**
| *Assent Date:* | 3.5.16 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 239 on 1.2.17: s. 2(2) |
**Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment (A Stronger System) Act 2016, No. 30/2016**
| *Assent Date:* | 31.5.16 |
| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 55–62, 63(2), 64–70 on 1.7.16: Special Gazette (No. 194) 21.6.16 p. 1; s. 63(1) on 1.12.16: Special Gazette (No. 194) 21.6.16 p. 1 |
**Children Legislation Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2017, No. 4/2017**
| *Assent Date:* | 28.2.17 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 16 on 1.7.17: Special Gazette (No. 216) 27.6.17 p. 1 |
**Freedom of Information Amendment (Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner) Act 2017, No. 20/2017**
| Assent Date: | 16.5.17 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 134(Sch. 1 item 13) on 1.9.17: s. 2(3) |
**Parliamentary Budget Officer Act 2017, No. 27/2017**
| *Assent Date:* | 27.6.17 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 59 on 1.7.17: s. 2(2) |
**Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Amendment (Further Reforms) Act 2017, No. 63/2017**
| Assent Date: | 19.12.17 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 21(Sch. 1 item 6) on 2.7.18: Special Gazette (No. 248) 29.5.18 p. 1 |
**Disability Service Safeguards Act 2018, No. 38/2018**
| *Assent Date:* | 28.8.18 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 291 on 20.8.19: Special Gazette (No. 324) 20.8.19 p. 1 |
**Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, Oversight and Independence) Act 2019, No. 2/2019**
| *Assent Date:* | 5.3.19 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 194 on 6.3.19: s. 2(1); ss 73–78, 79(Sch. 1 Pt C) on 31.12.19: Special Gazette (No. 537) 17.12.19 p. 1; ss 147–174 on 1.1.20: s. 2(3); ss 175–178 on 1.7.20: s. 2(4) |
**Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019, No. 19/2019**
| *Assent Date:* | 25.6.19 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 267 on 1.7.20: s. 2(4) |
**Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020**[[3]](#endnote-4)
| *Assent Date:* | 24.3.20 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 390(Sch. 1 items 75.1, 75.5) on 6.4.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1; s. 390(Sch. 1 items 75.2–75.4, 75.6) on 24.10.20: s. 2(3)(f) |
**Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Act 2021, No. 11/2021**
| *Assent Date:* | 23.3.21 |
| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 157–163 on 26.4.21: s. 2(2) |
**Casino and Liquor Legislation Amendment Act 2022, No. 26/2022**
| *Assent Date:* | 28.6.22 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 57 on 1.7.22: Special Gazette (No. 336) 30.6.22 p. 1 |
**Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, No. 39/2022**
| *Assent Date:* | 6.9.22 |
| *Commencement Date:* | S. 851 on 1.9.23: s. 2(2) |
**Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2023, No. 34/2023**
| Assent Date: | 21.11.23 |
| Commencement Date: | S. 127(Sch. 1 item 8) on 22.11.23: s. 2(1) |
**Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Act 2024, No. 27/2024**
| *Assent Date:* | 20.8.24 |
| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 131–134 on 31.12.24: s. 2(2) |
**Justice Legislation Amendment (Integrity, Defamation and Other Matters) Act 2024, No. 31/2024**
| *Assent Date:* | 10.9.24 |
| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 80–96 on 11.9.24: s. 2(1); s. 113(Sch. 1 item 24) on 10.2.25: Special Gazette (No. 648) 26.11.24 p. 1 |
**Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Act 2026, No. 11/2026**
| *Assent Date:* | 31.3.26 |
| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 97, 98 on 1.4.26: s. 2(1) |
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3 Explanatory details
1. S. 13 amended by Nos 8651 s. 2, 8884 s. 3, 9059 s. 2(1)(Sch. item 33), 14/1988 s. 11, 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 86.5–86.7) (as amended by No. 13/1990 s. 38(2)(l)), 15/1989 s. 25, 62/1989 s. 8, 35/1996 s. 453(Sch. 1 item 62.1), 93/1997 s. 26, 15/1998 s. 10(2), 102/1998 s. 35, 23/2002 s. 201, 103/2003 s. 30(1)(2), 56/2004 s. 76(2), 79/2004 s. 71(a), 18/2005 s. 18(Sch. 1 item 73.1), 43/2006 s. 47(Sch. item 2), 65/2007 s. 111, 27/2009 s. 16, 29/2011 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 64), 66/2011 s. 42, 70/2011 s. 46, 72/2011 s. 52, 6/2012 s. 43, 43/2012 s. 3(Sch. item 36), substituted by No. 82/2012 s. 227, amended by No. 30/2016 s. 70(2)(n), substituted by No. 2/2019 s. 149. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)
2. S. 16L (*repealed*): The amendment proposed by section 46 of the **Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018, No. 39/2018** (as amended by No. 11/2020) is not included in this publication due to the earlier repeal of section 16L by section 161 of the **Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, Oversight and Independence) Act 2019**, No. 2/2019.
Section 46 read as follows: