The Commonwealth OmbudsmanExternal Link safeguards the community in their dealings with Australian Government agencies. The Commonwealth Ombudsman's office:
- handles complaints
- conducts investigations
- performs audits and inspections
- encourages good administration
- carries out specialist oversight tasks.
One of the Ombudsman's key objectives is to foster accountable, fair and transparent public administration. This ensures that the principles and practices of public administration are sensitive, responsive and adaptive to the interests of members of the public.
From 1 May 2015, most tax complaints previously handled by the Commonwealth Ombudsman were transferred to the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman will continue to receive complaints concerning Public Interest Disclosures or Freedom of Information request for the ATO or Tax Practitioners Board.