Results
The Commission’s Investigation and Conciliation
Service (ICS), (including the National Information
Service (NIS) and Respect@Work Information
Service), provides information and education,
targeted referrals and accessible complaint
handling services to thousands of individuals and
organisations across Australia. In doing so, the work
of the ICS supports access to justice and remedies
for people and communities whose rights are
breached on a daily basis.
Analysis of performance
In 2023–24, the Commission received 2,708
complaints and finalised 2,771 complaints. Of the
complaints finalised during this reporting period, one
of the three progress indicators was achieved, with
85% of parties to complaints reporting they were
satisfied with the service they received (an increase
of 3% on the previous reporting year). However,
33% of complaints were resolved by conciliation,
which is 7% below the progress indicator and lower
than the average percentage of complaints resolved
over the previous 10 years (although, higher than
the previous year by 3%). While the percentage of
complaints resolved through conciliation is below
target, there has been a notable increase in the
number of conciliation processes facilitated by
the ICS when compared to last year. This is due
to the overall increase in complaints received. The
number of complaints resolved through conciliation
this reporting period was 898 which is a 20%
increase on the 755 complaints resolved through
conciliation in 2022-23. This represents successful
dispute resolution for more than 1,800 individuals
and organisations involved in complaints before the
Commission. Participation in conciliation can also
be an empowering experience, irrespective of the
outcome achieved. Unsolicited feedback received
by the Commission regularly includes positive
reflections about individuals’ engagement with
the ICS staff in circumstances where a conciliated
outcome is not achieved, as the example below
illustrates:
Annual Report 2023–2024 • 21