Investigation Process

Step 1: A formal complaint

A complaint is formally registered when the Competitive Neutrality Unit (the Unit) receives written advice from the complainant preferably on the complaints proforma. For information on making a complaint please refer to the "Making a complaint" section.

We recommend that complainants first contact the "competing" public business agency to discuss any concerns, before lodging a complaint. Complainants will be asked to do this if it has not been done before contacting the Unit.

Before the Unit can undertake an investigation, complaints must be lodged in writing. There is no filing fee. Complaints may also be faxed or emailed directly to the Unit.

The Unit treats the identity of complainants as confidential unless the complainant advises otherwise. However, in some instances it may be impossible to preserve anonymity due to the specific nature of the complaint issue.

The Competitive Neutrality Unit cannot initiate a complaint of its own volition.

Step 2: The investigation

The Unit acknowledges written complaints within five days of receipt. The Unit also notifies the agency against whom the complaint has been made, as well as the responsible department, that an investigation is underway. For each complaint, the Unit:

• establishes whether the Competitive Neutrality Policy Victoria applies or should apply to the activity that has been complained about
• gathers all relevant information to establish whether steps have been taken to comply with the policy and if so, whether the policy has been applied correctly
• determines whether or not there has been a breach of policy.