Making a code of conduct complaint

How to make a code of conduct complaint

Lodging a code of conduct complaint should be seen as a last resort where a complainant has sought to resolve an issue directly with the subject of the complaint or through the relevant council’s dispute resolution process and is unsatisfied with the outcome.

From 10 September 2025 all Tasmanian councils must implement a dispute resolution policy which outlines the process for managing disputes at the council level. Any person can make a complaint under a relevant council’s internal dispute resolution policy.

Councils are required to make a copy of their dispute resolution policy available on their website and for public inspection free of charge at the public office and for purchase at a reasonable charge. This must also contain information on how to make a complaint to the council under their dispute resolution policy.

Prescribed content for the development of council’s dispute resolution policies is contained in the Local Government (General) Regulations 2015 and is also available on the Tasmanian legislation website at www.legislation.tas.gov.au.

How to make a code of conduct complaint

Once a complainant has gone through the relevant council’s internal dispute resolution process and being dissatisfied with the outcome and having acted in good faith, the complainant may make a complaint under the Code of Conduct.

The complainant must demonstrate in their complaint form that they:

• have made reasonable efforts under the council’s internal dispute resolution process; or
• have made efforts to resolve the complaint; or
• can explain why the internal dispute resolution process is not an appropriate process for resolving the issue.

A complainant must complete a Local government code of conduct complaint form and lodge it with the general manager of the relevant council within six months of the alleged contravention.

The complaint must be accompanied by:

1. a statutory declaration verifying the accuracy of the information contained in the complaint. This should meet the Requirements for completing a Statutory Declaration, August 2022 (PDF 105.3KB)
2. the prescribed fee. For 2025-26, this is $95.50.

Further information about how to make a complaint, information and other requirements is contained in the Information Sheet - Local Government Code of Conduct - Information for Complainants, September 2024 (PDF 310.9KB).

Councils are required to make a copy of the Code of Conduct available on their website and for public inspection free of charge at their public office and for purchase at a reasonable charge. The Code of Conduct is contained in the Local Government (Code of Conduct) Order 2024 and is also available on the Tasmanian legislation website at www.legislation.tas.gov.au.

Referral of complaint by General Manager

The general manager is required to assess a code of conduct complaint within 14 days after receiving it to ensure that it meets the requirements of section 28V of the Act. Where the complaint meets these requirements, the general manager must:

For more information on these requirements view the Information sheet – Local Government Code of Conduct – Information for General Managers, September 2024 (PDF 303.3KB).

Investigating Panel determinations

The Investigating Panel determination reports are required to be tabled by the relevant council at the first public meeting held after the determination is made at which it is practicable to do so.

Addendums to reports (which contain confidential information) are required to be tabled at the next closed council meeting at which it is practicable to do so.

Copies of the investigating Panel’s determination reports which have been tabled at council meetings are available to publicly view and download via the Code of Conduct Panel Determination Reports page.

Further information and guidance

More information

For further information regarding code of conduct complaints contact the Executive Officer