Understand your options
Your options depend on the type of complaint. Not all issues or concerns can be raised as a formal complaint. To make it simpler for you to identify the options available, see below.
Types of complaint
If you are not sure where to start, choose the option that matches your situation.
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If appropriate, try raising your issue informally first with the subject coordinator or your faculty's student experience contact.
If that conversation does not resolve it, or if raising it informally is not appropriate, you can submit a formal complaint.
You can also contact the Safer Community Program for confidential advice and support. They can help you understand your options and next steps. You do not have to have a resolution in mind to contact Safer Community — they'll work through it with you at your own pace.
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If your issue involves a staff member's behaviour or professional conduct, you can seek confidential advice before deciding whether to proceed. Consider speaking with:
- Safer Community
- See also Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy and Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy
If informal resolution is not appropriate or has not resolved the issue, you can submit a complaint.
You can also report sexual misconduct through Speak Safely .
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If your issue is about subject delivery, supervision, or an assessment outcome, try raising it informally first with the subject coordinator or your faculty's student experience contact.
If that conversation does not resolve it, or if raising it informally is not appropriate, you can submit a formal complaint.
Note: If your issue is about a specific academic decision (such as unsatisfactory progress finding), a different review process may apply. See Specialist pathway complaints.
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If your issue relates to a service experience or administrative decision, raise it informally at the service delivery point first — for example, by contacting the relevant team or office directly.
If the issue is not resolved informally, or if this is not appropriate, you can submit a formal complaint through the University's complaints process.
Some complaints require a different pathway and have different timelines. If your issue or concern involves misconduct, harassment, or academic decisions, see Specialist pathway complaints in the navigation menu.
When does a formal complaint apply?
A formal complaint is appropriate when:
- you have tried to resolve the issue informally and it has not worked
- an informal approach is not appropriate given the circumstances
- the issue involves repeated behaviour, a power imbalance, or a formal decision you want reviewed
See Submit a complaint for next steps.
Related policies that may apply depending on the nature of your issue
- Student Complaints Policy (MPF1066) — information on how student complaints are received, assessed, and resolved
- Student Conduct Policy (MPF1324) — student behaviour and disciplinary processes
- Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy (MPF1328) — staff conduct toward students
- Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Policy (MPF1359) — conduct towards students