Complaints Form

The Australian Press Council handles complaints against publishers for alleged breaches of the Council’s Standards of Practice. The Council considers and investigates complaints, seeks to facilitate an outcome acceptable to the parties, and where appropriate adjudicate the matter to determine whether the publication has breached the Standards. Adjudications must be published by the publication in accordance with the Council’s specific requirements.

The Australian Press Council’s complaints process seeks to be as informal, prompt and economical as possible, and serves as an alternative to litigation. Complaints to the Council should be made and pursued by the complainants themselves, not by lawyers or other professional representatives. The Council does not require complainants to waive all rights to commence legal proceedings against publishers in relation to the material about which they are complaining. However, complainants must inform the Council if they have commenced proceedings or intend to do so. If legal proceedings have commenced, or there is a reasonable possibility that they may be commenced, the publisher may request that the Council delay action unless the complainant meets specified conditions.