Complaints against IAA members

Independent Audiologists Australia Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct

Where any person (whether a member of IAA or a member of the public) wishes to complain that a member of IAA has acted in ways that contravene this code of ethics and these rules of professional conduct, they may take the following steps:

1. Contact IAA in writing or by telephone.  All correspondence must be directed to the Executive Officer.  Should anyone wish to lodge a complaint directly to the Executive committee, a request for the contact details of any of the office bearers (President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) can be made via the Executive Officer.
2. All complaints should be sent in writing, via mail or email.  The name and contact details of the complainant must be included. 

The complaint will be acknowledged in writing via mail or email within three days of receipt.

All complaints are presented to the Executive committee within one week of receipt.  Further action is at the discretion of the serving Executive committee, who decide which of the following four actions will be taken:

1. The complaint is insubstantial.  A response to the complainant will be issued by the Executive Officer on instruction by the President.  The member will be notified that the complaint has been received and that no further action will be taken.  No change to membership status of IAA can result.
2. The complainant falls outside of the regulatory role of IAA.  The complainant and member are advised of the appropriate regulatory body to a complaint could be lodged.  No change of membership status of IAA can result.
3. The complaint is clearly not a breach of this code of ethics and rules of professional conduct but the member might benefit from guidance as to how to overcome the complaint.  The President (or delegate) will contact the member in person to advise of the complaint and discuss ways to address the complaint.  No change to membership status of IAA can result.
4. Report the complaint to the member and form an investigatory committee to review the complaint.

An investigatory committee will be made up of three individuals:

• At least two members of the serving IAA Executive, one of which will serve as the Chair of the investigatory committee.
• One representative of a consumer group (Better Hearing Australia, Shhh, Deafness Forum, Parents of Deaf Children or similar)

 The investigatory committee will take no longer than 60 working days to finalise their investigation and report to the IAA Executive Committee.  Their report will include:

• Statement of the complaint
• Report of their assessment
• Recommendation.

The investigatory committee have the option to recommend:

1. Dismiss the complaint.
2. Suspend membership pending guidance and rectification of specific matters.
3. Expel the member from the association.
4. Further investigation by another regulatory body.

 The investigatory committee report will be shared with the Executive Committee.

 The report can be either accepted or rejected by the committee.  If rejected, the reasons for the rejection need to be documented. 

 The President (or delegate) will inform the complainant and IAA member of the recommendations of the Executive.

 Where guidance is recommended, the Executive committee will identify specific ways that the member can be guided (e.g. courses, articles, counselling, supervision).

 Complainants have the right to appeal a ruling by writing to the President.

If the President, in consultation with the Executive committee consider the case to have grounds for appeal, a special general meeting of the IAA membership will be called, the report of the ethics committee presented to the meeting, along with the appeal.  A vote will be taken at the meeting to determine if the ruling of the Executive should be upheld or not.

 IAA will not pass on complaints to other regulatory bodies but will inform complainants of which regulatory bodies apply to the circumstances.