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Complaints

Complaints - ABA Australia

ABA Australia is committed to maintaining high standards of professional conduct and ethical practice. We take all complaints seriously and have established a fair and transparent process for handling concerns about our members' conduct.

Our Complaints Process

Submit Your Complaint

Complete our formal complaint form with details about the conduct concern. Include relevant documentation and evidence to support your complaint. Email complaint form to membership@auaba.com.au.

Initial Review

Our Complaints Committee will review your submission to determine if it falls within our jurisdiction and meets the criteria for investigation.

Investigation Process

If accepted, we conduct a thorough investigation following our established procedures. Both parties are given opportunity to respond and provide information.

Resolution & Outcome

A determination is made based on evidence and our Code of Ethics. Possible outcomes include dismissal, remedial action, or formal sanctions.

  • Acknowledgement: You will receive written confirmation once your complaint has been received.
  • Review: The Ethics Committee will review your complaint and may contact you for more information.
  • Outcome: You will be informed in writing of the Committee's decision and any actions taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can file a complaint about an ABA Australia member's professional conduct. This includes clients, family members, colleagues, or other stakeholders who have concerns about potential violations of our Code of Ethics or professional standards.
Complaints can be filed regarding violations of our Code of Ethics, professional misconduct, incompetent practice, breach of confidentiality, boundary violations, fraudulent behavior, or failure to maintain professional standards. The complaint must relate to professional conduct, not personal disputes.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case. Initial review typically takes 2-4 weeks. Full investigations can take 3-6 months or longer for complex cases. We aim to keep all parties informed throughout the process and complete investigations as efficiently as possible while ensuring thoroughness.
During an investigation, the member is notified and given opportunity to respond to allegations. In serious cases, interim measures may be implemented to protect the public. The member's professional standing remains unchanged unless and until a determination of misconduct is made.
We prefer complaints to be submitted with contact information so we can gather necessary details and keep you informed. However, we understand some situations require anonymity. Anonymous complaints are accepted but may be more difficult to investigate thoroughly without the ability to follow up for additional information.
Include any relevant documentation such as emails, text messages, session notes, contracts, or other records that support your complaint. Provide specific dates, times, and detailed descriptions of incidents. The more specific information you can provide, the more effectively we can investigate.
In most cases, yes. Due process requires that the member be informed of the allegations and have opportunity to respond, which typically means knowing the source of the complaint. However, we take appropriate measures to protect complainants from retaliation and maintain confidentiality to the extent possible.
Outcomes can include: dismissal if no violation occurred, remedial education or training requirements, formal reprimand, suspension of membership, or permanent revocation of membership. The outcome depends on the severity of the violation and the member's conduct history.
Yes, both complainants and members have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the decision notification. The appeal is reviewed by a separate panel not involved in the original investigation.
We maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation process to protect all parties. However, final outcomes involving sanctions may be published in accordance with our policies on transparency and public protection. We balance confidentiality with our duty to protect the public.

Important Notes

Complaints can only be reviewed if the individual was an ABA Australia member at the time of the alleged conduct.

If a matter falls outside our jurisdiction, we will provide information about other relevant organisations, such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

All complaints are handled in strict confidence.

If you're unsure whether your concern falls under our jurisdiction, we encourage you to contact us at membership@auaba.com.au for guidance before submitting a complaint.

Ready to File a Complaint? If you have a concern about an ABA Australia member's professional conduct, we encourage you to submit a formal complaint. You can also contact us by emailing membership@auaba.com.au if you have questions about the process. Please complete the form below, and email it to membership@auaba.com.au.

Page updated 20/03/2026

ABA Australia is a

qualifying member of the

National Alliance of the Self Regulating Health Professionals

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Sandy Bay, TAS 7005

admin@auaba.com.au

The Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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