Step 2b - Have an organisation lodge a complaint on your behalf
It is possible for an organisation to lodge a complaint of discrimination, sexual harassment or racial or religious vilification on behalf of another person or a group of people. These kinds of complaints are known as representative complaints. (also see Amended EO Act)
The Commission can accept a representative complaint from an organisation if:
- There is a basis for the complaint (see About the Equal Opportunity Act)
- The organisation has the consent of the group members to make a complaint on their behalf
- The organisation has ‘sufficient interest’ in the complaint
An organisation has ‘sufficient interest’ in a complaint if the allegations are a matter of genuine concern to the organisation because they adversely affect or potentially affect the interests of the organisation or the interests and welfare of the people represented by the organisation.
For example, a disability support agency may lodge a complaint on behalf of several of its clients about a lack of accessible toilets at a sporting venue.
OR
For example, a union may lodge a complaint on behalf of one of its members about discrimination by an employer because of the union member’s industrial activity.
