Making a complaint
As a company and as members of our community, we’re always striving to be better. If we missed the mark, or you have ideas on how we could improve, we want to hear from you.
What happens next?
When you register a complaint, we will aim to address and resolve your complaint within 10 business days. If you are not happy with the response you receive, you may request that your complaint is reviewed by a senior manager.
If you remain dissatisfied we will advise you of your right to lodge a complaint with the Tasmanian Ombudsman. Further details of the procedure and a complaint form can be obtained from the Tasmanian Ombudsman by phoning 1800 001 170 or by accessing the Tasmanian Ombudsman’s website.
Please note that the Tasmanian Ombudsman cannot investigate a complaint until you have attempted to resolve the issue with TasWater.
Our customer philosophy
TasWater is working to ensure that all customers in Tasmania have access to high quality drinking water and that sewerage and wastewater are managed efficiently. We care for our customers and respect their concerns. We will respond promptly, openly and honestly to any complaints raised with us. We will listen carefully and we will treat all our customers fairly and equitably. All complaints received will be thoroughly investigated and the results will be communicated to the customer in a clear and timely manner. The customer’s right to privacy and confidentiality will be respected at all times. If any customer is unhappy with the outcome or the handling of their complaint, they will be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review and resolution. We are committed to providing the highest levels of service to our customers across all parts of our business.
Complaints, Disputes and Enquiries Management
A complaint is defined in accordance with the Australian Standards as an “expression of dissatisfaction made to an organisation, related to its products, or the complaints process itself, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected”.
TasWater monitors complaints on an ongoing basis. The approach to complaints management is guided by eight principles:
- Respect – TasWater respects a customers’ right to complain and will manage all relevant personal information in a confidential manner
- Visibility – information about how and where to complain is well publicised to customers, staff and other interested parties
- Accessibility – the process for making a complaint and investigating it is easy for customers to access and understand
- Responsiveness – all complaints are acknowledged promptly, addressed efficiently, with the customer kept informed throughout the process
- Fairness – all complaints are dealt with in an equitable, objective and unbiased manner
- Review – the avenues for internal and external review and/or appeal about TasWater’s response to a complaint are made known to customers
- Accountability – accountabilities for complaint management are clearly established, and complaints and responses monitored and results reported to management and the Board
- Continuous Improvement – TasWater considers each complaint a potential source for continual improvement.