Our response to changed COVID-19 measures from 17 December 2021

From 17 December 2021, people will be required to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status when they check into many Queensland locations and businesses that will be restricted to fully vaccinated customers and visitors.  

We have received complaints about a broad range of COVID-19 related issues since restrictions were imposed in 2020 under the Public Health Act 2005. 

In limited circumstances, it is possible for you to make a complaint to us about COVID-19 related issues where your complaint relates to a Queensland public sector agency. Private businesses are not within our jurisdiction to investigate. 

Vaccine status complaints 

Private businesses

We are unable to accept complaints about private businesses that are complying with their obligations to restrict access to venues relating to a person’s vaccination status. You should try to resolve the issue with the relevant business.

Queensland Government owned venues

If your complaint is about a public sector agency complying with their obligations to restrict access to venues relating to a person’s vaccination status, try to resolve the issue with the relevant agency first. 

Depending on the details of your complaint, the matter may be relevant to Queensland Health or Queensland Police Service. 

All agencies have a system for managing complaints.

In most cases, we will only investigate a complaint if you have already complained to the agency and received a final decision on your complaint. If you remain dissatisfied after exhausting this process, it is open to you to make a complaint to us.  

Vaccination exemptions

We are unable to accept complaints about a private health practitioner’s decision regarding issuing a medical exemption for vaccinations. The Office of the Health Ombudsman is the most appropriate entity to consider complaints about health services. 

Human rights and discrimination

If you are concerned that your complaint relates to human rights or discrimination, the Queensland Human Rights Commission is the more appropriate agency to consider your complaint. The QHRC website has information about what complaints it may accept.