There is a time limit to make a complaint.

You have 12 months from the act of discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation to lodge a complaint.

Late complaints

Late complaints can be accepted if you can show that:

• there is good reason why the complaint is late
• it would be fair for your complaint to be taken up despite being late.

If your complaint is late, we will ask you about both of these things and the Commissioner will decide whether to accept your complaint.

The Commissioner has to consider whether:

• it would be fair to you
• it would be fair to the person or organisation that is responding to the complaint.

If a long time has passed, witnesses may have forgotten the details or written records may have been lost or destroyed.

If the Commissioner does not accept your complaint because it is late, you have a right to apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for a ruling that the complaint should be accepted. The person you are complaining about has a right to argue against your application.

There is a section on the complaint form (PDF, 177.8 KB) for you to complete if you wish to apply for an extension of time to lodge a complaint.