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Social Workers Registration Act 2003

Discipline - Complaints

59: Complaints against social workers

You could also call this:

"How to complain about a social worker"

Illustration for Social Workers Registration Act 2003

You can make a complaint against a social worker to the Health and Disability Commissioner or the Registrar if the complaint is about health services or disability services. You can also make a complaint to the Registrar. You can make the complaint orally or in writing.

You can make a complaint if you are the Minister, the Children's Commissioner, or someone working for the government in an official role. You can also make a complaint if you are a member of the Board or the Tribunal.

The fact that some people can make complaints does not limit who else can make a complaint against a social worker.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM190238.

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Part 4Discipline
Complaints

59Complaints against social workers

  1. Any person may make a complaint against a social worker—

  2. to the Health and Disability Commissioner or the Registrar, if the complaint is about the provision of health services or disability services; or
    1. to the Registrar.

      1. The complaint may be oral or written.

      2. A complaint may be made by—

      3. the Minister; or
        1. the Children’s Commissioner; or
          1. any other person in the service of the Crown acting in an official capacity; or
            1. any member of the Board or the Tribunal.

              1. Subsection (3) does not limit the generality of subsection (1).

              Notes
              • Section 59 heading: amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
              • Section 59(1): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
              • Section 59(3)(b): amended, on , by section 25 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).