Feedback and Complaints

The CDPP values all feedback and complaints it receives. 

You can make a complaint to the CDPP if you are not satisfied with an aspect of the CDPP’s conduct, for example with the conduct of a CDPP employee or counsel briefed by the CDPP, service delivery, actions or decisions, policies or processes. 

You can provide feedback to the CDPP if you have a compliment, criticism, comment or suggestion. Feedback can be complimentary, or it might provide constructive criticism. 

Please do not report any crime directly to the CDPP as we do not investigate crimes.

You can report crimes against Commonwealth law to the Australian Federal Police. You can report other crimes to your state or territory police or you can attend your nearest police station.

How to make a complaint or provide feedback

You can contact the CDPP to make a complaint or provide feedback via our Feedback and Complaints e-form. 

You can also contact us via the following alternative methods:

Please include the following information:

  • your name and best contact details (unless you wish to remain anonymous). Correspondence that does not include a contact method (eg return address, email or phone number) will not receive a response; 
  • details of the complaint or feedback, including a CDPP file number (if known); and
  • the outcome or action you are seeking.

If you are d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech/communication difficulty, please contact us using the National Relay Service as follows:

If you require assistance communicating in English, please contact us via the Translating and Interpreting Service.

The CDPP aims to meet the standard expected for complaints set by the Commonwealth Ombudsman. You can find out more in the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Better Practice Complaint Handling Guide. 

The CDPP is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Complaints involving children and young people will be considered having regard to best practice as outlined in the National Office for Child Safety’s Complaint Handling Guide. If the CDPP is aware that a complaint has been made by a child or young person, the CDPP will consider involving a Witness Assistance Officer, if not already allocated. You can find out more about this service on our Victims and Witnesses website.

The CDPP’s feedback and complaints process

The CDPP will consider complaints confidentially, quickly, impartially and transparently and in accordance with the CDPP’s Privacy Policy.

The CDPP aims to acknowledge your feedback (if appropriate) or complaint within two business days. If your complaint is assessable, you will be provided with a complaint reference number and the name and role of the complaint decision-maker.

The CDPP is unable to assess or investigate complaints about the following matters:

  • alleged criminal conduct;
  • alleged police or investigator (mis)conduct; and
  • complaints about other agencies, such as state or territory prosecuting agencies.

If your complaint can be resolved without an investigation, we aim to provide you a response within 10 business days.

If your complaint is referred for investigation, we aim to provide you with a response within two months.

If you disagree with the outcome of your complaint, you can contact us to seek further information about the outcome or to seek an internal review of the complaint outcome. If an internal review process is commenced, the CDPP will aim to finalise the process within one month.

Claims for Compensation

Your complaint may involve a claim for compensation.

The Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA Scheme) provides a mechanism for compensation for persons who have experienced detriment as a result of defective administration. The CDDA Scheme is discretionary, meaning the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) decides whether to pay compensation. Read more about the CDDA Scheme on the Department of Finance website.

If you are making a claim for compensation for detriment caused by defective administration, you will need to provide information about:

  • the alleged defective administration by the CDPP,
  • details of the detriment being claimed, including how any amounts claims are calculated, and
  • how the defective administration directly caused the detriment,
  • any relevant documents in support of the claim. 

If the Director considers your claim for compensation under the CDDA Scheme, we aim to provide you with a response within four months.

The Department of Finance assesses claims for an act of grace payment. These payments are for people who are unintentionally disadvantaged by the effects of Australian Government legislation, actions or omissions. You can find out more on the Department of Finance’s website.

What we expect from you

Thank you for treating CDPP staff with respect. We will not tolerate: 

  • communication containing abuse, harassment or threatening language;
  • unreasonably argumentative communication; 
  • persistent contact after we respond to your complaint; or 
  • excessive amounts of correspondence.