Complaints
The Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP) considers complaints (known as 'specific instances') alleging corporate misconduct as it relates to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (OECD Guidelines).
Complaints submitted to the AusNCP will only be considered if they relate to the conduct of:
- any multinational enterprise legally registered in Australia, or
- any Australian multinational enterprises operating in another country, irrespective of that country’s OECD member status.
If you would like to submit a complaint, read our procedural guidance first and then complete submission form below.
Should I complain to the AusNCP?
The AusNCP is one of over 50 National Contact Points (NCPs) across the world that are responsible for furthering the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines.
One of the AusNCP’s primary functions is to help resolve complaints involving multinational enterprises that operate in or from Australia, and the consistency of their conduct with the OECD Guidelines, through the provision of dispute resolution services.
The AusNCP complaints process is only relevant if you:
- are complaining about a company that is considered to be a multinational enterprise based in Australia or doing business in Australia
- can identify how the conduct of the multinational enterprise you are seeking to complain about is allegedly inconsistent with one or more specific parts of the OECD Guidelines
- have an interest in the issue(s) of your complaint, and have first contacted the company to explain the problem and how you would like it rectified
- are prepared to engage in good faith, with the aim of arriving at a mutually agreeable resolution that is consistent with the OECD Guidelines.
Complaint handling
Complaints submitted to the AusNCP are handled by Independent Examiners, supported by the AusNCP’s Secretariat and Governance and Advisory Board.
The AusNCP is not a regulatory body and cannot compel a multinational enterprise to participate in its complaints process, which can take up to 12 to 14 months (or longer).
See the complaint process for more information on timeframes.
Issues
If the issues of your complaint have not been resolved through direct engagement with the company, you may wish to consider making a formal complaint to the business in writing (using their internal grievance mechanism), or to an independent or other government body, before proceeding with an AusNCP complaint. Doing so should help you get a result sooner than may otherwise be possible with the AusNCP.
See information on finding the right complaint pathway that may be better suited to deal with your individual circumstances.
Privacy information
The personal information you supply in this webform is collected for the purposes of determining whether you have a valid complaint, and if applicable, to assist in the potential resolution of issues that relate to the OECD Guidelines.
To progress an AusNCP complaint, we must notify the relevant enterprise(s) and provide a copy of the complaint submission. We may also disclose your personal information to other individuals and entities that have information relevant to an Initial Assessment, resolution or examination of your complaint.
The AusNCP complaint procedures allow for the anonymous filing of complaints via a third party in certain circumstances, including where there may be risks to an individual’s personal safety or a risk of reprisals. Notifiers acting on behalf of others should be able to demonstrate their authority to do so, and provide evidence to support their represented party’s request for anonymity.
Privacy collection notice
See the full privacy collection notice, which explains how the AusNCP collects and holds personal information, including sensitive information.