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Process for handling complaints against practitioners and debtors

Inspector-General Practice Statement 10 explains the process for handling complaints against practitioners and debtors.

On this page

  1. Introduction

    1. Officers within AFSA’s Enforcement and Practitioner Surveillance division perform the functions and exercises the regulatory powers of the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Act 1966.  We maintain high national standards of personal insolvency practice and procedure by:
      1. administering a registration scheme to ensure that only suitably-qualified people are licensed to practice as personal insolvency practitioners
      2. monitoring the standard of bankruptcy trustees (including the Official Trustee) and debt agreement administrators and their administrations through a targeted program of inspections and other compliance monitoring activities
      3. investigating complaints made by creditors or debtors against bankruptcy trustees, debt agreement administrators and solicitor controlling trustees
      4. conducting statutory reviews of some bankruptcy trustees’ decisions at the request of bankrupts or as initiated by the Inspector-General
      5. working with bankruptcy trustees and debt agreement administrators to improve knowledge and practice of the Bankruptcy Act.
    2. This practice document clarifies our role in investigating complaints received against registered trustees, the Official Trustee, debt agreement administrators, solicitors acting as controlling trustees and debtors.
    3. This practice document should be read together with AFSA’s Resolving complaints webpage.
    4. The professional bodies representing personal insolvency practitioners also prescribe complaint handling standards for their members.  These include:
    5. Most personal insolvency practitioners are members of at least one of these bodies, which require their members to implement policies, procedures and systems to ensure effective complaints management.

  2. Reviewing practitioners’ decisions

    1. Using our broad powers of inquiry, we can require practitioners to undertake remedial action or, where a breach of duty and/or power is identified, respond to disciplinary proceedings.  However, our role will be limited in most cases where practitioners are entitled to exercise a statutory discretion.
    2. We may not be able to resolve every concern raised about regulated practitioners or their administrations.  In such cases, a complainant may not achieve their desired outcome and may have to consider alternative remedies.  A guide to expected outcomes in different scenarios is shown in annexure A.
    3. Complainants affected by decisions of trustees to extend their bankruptcy period or assess income contribution liabilities have rights of review by the Inspector-General.  Further details can be found on AFSA’s Can I appeal?  Review and appeal of trustee and administrator decisions webpage.

  3. Who can complain to AFSA?

    1. Usually it will be a debtor, bankrupt or creditor who contacts AFSA.  The complaint or concerns may be about the decisions or conduct of:
      1. registered trustees
      2. the Official Trustee (a statutory office within AFSA)
      3. solicitors acting as controlling trustees
      4. registered debt agreement administrators
      5. debtors or bankrupts.
    2. Other parties affected by decisions or conduct of practitioners may also complain to us.  These often include referrals by officers in the AFSA Service Centre, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Inspector-General or the Attorney-General.
    3. For privacy reasons, any complaints received from third parties acting on behalf of a complainant must be accompanied by an appropriate authority to act signed by the complainant (e.g. letter of authority, power of attorney or solicitor engaged by the complainant).  AFSA has a third party authority form for this purpose.
    4. It is AFSA’s preference that complainants first raise their concerns with the practitioner. Each practitioner is required to have an internal complaint handling process. In the event that a complainant’s concern has not been adequately addressed through this process, they may then refer the matter to AFSA. To assist us in considering your complaint, please provide us with evidence that you have raised your concerns with the practitioner, in writing where possible, and their response(s). We recognise that there may be circumstances where it is not appropriate to raise your concerns with the practitioner in the first instance. If applicable, please provide us with details about why you are not able to do so.
    5. Practitioners who are members of ARITA, PIPA, CPA or CAANZ are required by their professional bodies and relevant professional and ethical standards to implement policies, procedures and systems to ensure effective complaints management.  The relevant standards applying to members of the following professional bodies are:
    6. Where the practitioner’s internal complaint handling process has not been successful in addressing the concerns of the complainant, the complainant may then refer the matter to us.
    7. While we handle complaints against the Official Trustee, this does not include dealing with complaints about the services provided by other AFSA business areas.  Further details can be found on AFSA’s Complaints handling procedure webpage.

  4. Receipt of complaints

    1. Enquiries and complaints can be made to us by telephone, post, email, in person if an appointment is made, or via an online form.
    2. Complaints may be received and handled verbally without needing to be in writing.  In such cases, complainants may remain anonymous or provide a pseudonym according to Australian Privacy Principle 2 of the Privacy Act 1988.  However, we may decide that the issues raised are serious enough to warrant formal investigation.  At this point, we may require the complainant to provide contact details, a written complaint and documentation substantiating the allegation.
    3. When a complaint is received in writing (or further details are requested after a telephone discussion) we will acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing and enclose a copy of AFSA’s Resolving complaints webpage.

  5. How AFSA will handle the complaint

    1. We take all complaints seriously and treat all parties professionally, with dignity and respect.  Complainants who believe this has not occurred should ask to speak to the relevant AFSA Director.  We welcome feedback about our service.
    2. Where a complainant behaves in an inappropriate or unacceptable manner in their dealings with our staff, we will take proactive and decisive action to manage the conduct of the complainant in accordance with AFSA’s unreasonable complainant conduct – model policy.

    3. Confidentiality and the Privacy Act

    4. In the interests of natural justice, the practitioner against whom the complaint is made will be provided with details of the issues raised.  This is subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 relating to the use and disclosure of personal information.
    5. In cases where the complaint is in writing, we will seek the consent of the complainant before copies of correspondence are provided to other parties involved.
    6. We will not provide the practitioner/party concerned with the complainant’s name without their consent.  However, we will provide the complainant’s name and contact details to law enforcement agencies if required for law enforcement purposes.
    7. If we request the practitioner to provide us with a written response to the issues raised, a copy will not be provided to the complainant without the practitioner’s consent.  However, details of the practitioner’s response will be provided to the complainant when we communicate our findings.

    8. Resolution without investigation

    9. If the complaint is outside the scope of our power or jurisdiction we will provide information about alternative options and explain why we are unable to take further action.  In some cases, we may be able to resolve a complaint without formal investigation, for example by explaining a practitioner’s powers and duties under the law.  In other cases, inquiries may be finalised during an initial telephone conversation (or shortly afterwards) by providing complainants with information and/or alternatives.
    10. We will usually contact the person against whom the complaint has been made to seek their comments about the issues raised.  In some cases this results in the practitioner taking prompt action to address the issues with no further inquiry or action being required.

    11. Assistance with investigation

    12. If an initial inquiry reveals a substantive complaint exists which is within our power, a formal investigation will be conducted.  In these cases it is important that both the complainant and practitioner provide us with all relevant information and/or documents.
    13. We expect that practitioners will provide access to all administration records, promptly provide all relevant information to investigate complaints and address any findings in a timely manner.  Likewise, we expect that complainants will provide details in writing when requested and any substantiating documentation in a timely manner.

    14. The outcome a complainant may expect

    15. AFSA will initially focus its inquiries on whether there have been breaches of the law and/or the standards expected of trustees and administrators.  This includes cases where the exercise of a power or discretion breaches fiduciary duties, such as failing to demonstrate impartiality, acting without due care or with negligence.
    16. We may find that action taken by the practitioner is lawful, appropriate or reasonable in the circumstances.  In such cases the complaint will be classified as not justified.  We will not require the practitioner to take any remedial action and advise the parties of our findings.
    17. If a practitioner’s action or decision is beyond our jurisdiction or does not breach the law and/or standards, we will inform the complainant about other options.  These may include a negotiated settlement and/or legal action.  Some examples and options are listed in annexure A.
    18. We may determine that a practitioner has breached their fiduciary duties, the legislation or required standards.  These types of complaints will be classified as justified and we may:
      • request the practitioner to take remedial action
      • counsel the practitioner
      • prepare a formal report under subsection 12(1B) of the Bankruptcy Act detailing the results of the investigation.  Copies of this report may be provided to creditors, the debtor, other disciplinary bodies and/or relevant professional bodies
      • take disciplinary, deregistration or legal action against the practitioner if the breach identified is sufficiently serious.
    19. Except for statutory reviews of objections to discharge and income contribution assessments, we cannot direct a practitioner to take certain action or make a decision, as only Courts have this power.
    20. Records are kept of all complaints received and analysed, with trends reported in AFSA’s annual report and personal insolvency compliance report.

    21. Resolving disputes

    22. While our inspectors are not qualified mediators, they are independent, experienced in negotiation and well-versed in the practical application of the Bankruptcy Act.
    23. We will intervene in appropriate situations where having an independent party to facilitate a negotiated outcome may assist with the speedier settlement or resolution.  The aim will be to reduce costs of ongoing complaints and litigation that quite often follows.  Some examples are listed below:
      1. Breakdown of the relationship and communication between a debtor or creditor and the practitioner which has the potential to escalate, thereby increasing costs.
      2. Disputes involving property where both parties indicate they are willing to resolve the dispute by negotiation.
      3. Claims of over-charging or over-servicing with respect to a practitioner’s remuneration.  We will inform the complainant of their right of formal review of the costs.  However, AFSA can require a reduction where the fees do not comply with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Act.  We may also be able to facilitate a negotiated reduction in the amount being claimed.  For example, where the amount charged has been legally incurred and supported by records but appears high given the relative simplicity of the estate.
      4. The estate appears to have a sizeable surplus of assets over liabilities and there is little incentive for the practitioner to quickly finalise matters.
    24. Negotiated settlements are only an available option if both parties agree and both are willing to compromise.
    25. Debtors or bankrupts have the option to raise concerns or lodge a complaint against a bankruptcy trustee with their professional body if the practitioner is registered as a member.
    26. From 1 January 2021, all debt agreement administrators are required to be members of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (“AFCA”).  Debtors who are party to a debt agreement have the option to lodge a complaint against a debt agreement administrator with AFCA.

    27. Service standards

    28. Where a complaint does not require a formal investigation, we will aim to complete the complaint and respond to the complainant with 5 working days of receiving the complaint.
    29. Where a complaint requires a formal investigation, such as requesting further information from the practitioner, we will aim to complete the investigation and respond to the complainant within 60 calendar days of receiving the complaint.

    30. Costs relating to a complaint

    31. We do not charge for handling complaints against trustees and administrators.
    32. Registered trustees are generally entitled to charge for the time reasonably spent on a particular administration.  However, a registered trustee should not claim remuneration for time spent communicating with us concerning:
      • complaints about the practitioner or the conduct of a particular administration, except where the complaint is spurious, frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process
      • regulator surveillance, professional audits or inspection of files, or on peer reviews
      • defending a breach of the law or the ARITA code.
    33. Practitioners who are members of ARITA can refer to the Code of Professional Practice for further guidance about their professional obligations in respect of reasonable fees and expenses when performing insolvency services.
    34. Members of CPA, CAANZ or ARITA can also refer to APESB Standard APES 330 Insolvency Services:
      • section 240 (fees and other types of remuneration)
      • section 8 (professional fees and expenses).
    35. As to which complaints are considered spurious, frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process, we will advise parties when it is considered appropriate for a trustee to charge for their time.

      • Example 1

        We complete our inquiries and decide that a complaint is not justified and no further action is required.  The complainant does not accept the outcome and makes further inquiries about the same issues.  We will first determine whether to query the trustee further.  Generally, we will attempt to minimise unnecessary cost and not raise issues previously examined.  However, if the trustee needs to be further involved they would likely be entitled to remuneration from the estate for the additional work done to respond.
    36. Should new issues be raised by the same complainant, we will handle these issues as a new complaint.  It is our expectation that, in responding to new queries, the trustee will not attempt to charge the estate for time spent responding.
    37. It is also our expectation that the time and costs associated with a practitioner taking any remedial action to rectify an error made will not be charged to the estate or administration.

  6. Feedback about AFSA Practitioner Surveillance

    1. We aim to maintain high standards and model best practice in handling complaints.  To this end, contentious or complex complaints and those chosen at random by us from time to time are subject to peer and management review.
    2. We welcome feedback about our complaint handling service from stakeholders via AFSA’s online feedback form or via How to contact us.

Annexure A – Types of outcomes that may result from an inquiry or complaint to AFSA

  1. A person who has been made bankrupt by sequestration order complains as they believe there has been a miscarriage of justice and they should not have been made bankrupt.
    1. We do not have the power to determine if a sequestration order has been validly made.  In such a case it is likely that we will refer the complainant to other possible avenues including an application to Court under either sections 153B of the Bankruptcy Act or sections 90-10, 90-15 or 90-20 of the Schedule.
  2. A debtor complains that, although they have finished the payments set out in the debt agreement, the debt agreement administrator is asking for more money to pay additional creditors and extra fees.
    1. We will determine if there have been any breaches of the law.  If the debt agreement has been complied with and the administrator is seeking additional money outside the agreement, it is likely that we would inform the administrator that they have no legal basis for requesting further payments and should provide the debtor with confirmation of release.  We would also examine whether this has been a regular issue with the administrator and, if so, would consider counselling or disciplinary action.
  3. A person complains regarding property and assets claimed by a trustee and the way a trustee has treated them.
    1. We will determine if there have been breaches of law or standards.  If none have occurred, we have no power to direct a trustee in how they should exercise their power, discretion or commercial judgment relating to property claimed.  In these cases complainants will be advised of the alternative remedies available to challenge a decision of a trustee regarding property.  This may include application to the Court or alternative dispute resolution.
  4. A person complains that a practitioner appears to be showing bias, and is taking a heavy-handed approach.
    1. We will ascertain if the practitioner is in breach of the requirement to act impartially without conflict of interest and in accordance with the legislative standards required.  If we decide there is a conflict and the law or standards have been breached, there are several options available depending on the seriousness of the issue and the practitioner’s willingness to remedy.  We may counsel the practitioner, ask the practitioner to voluntarily arrange a replacement, take legal action to replace the trustee and/or commence disciplinary action concerning the practitioner’s registration.
  5. A debtor complains that the practitioner is not responding to requests for information.
    1. There is specific legislation requiring provision of information and responding to reasonable requests for information.  We will examine whether this legislation has been complied with and, if not, we will request that the practitioner addresses the requests properly.
  6. A creditor complains that a trustee has not properly investigated the financial affairs and property dealings of a bankrupt and had acted for the bankrupt prior to bankruptcy in attempting to negotiate a settlement.
    1. As in example 4, we will ascertain if the practitioner is in breach of the requirement to act impartially and without any conflict of interest and according to the legislative standards required.