Complaints about discrimination, bullying and harassment

On this page:

The College has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, bullying and harassment that sets out what is expected of people involved in College activities including trainees, supervisors and Directors of Training.

In addition, the RANZCP Code of Ethics states that psychiatrists will ‘uphold the integrity of the profession’, which includes promoting ‘a professional environment with an ethos characterised by mutual respect, and free of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment’.

Discrimination, bullying and harassment

You may experience behaviour that you don't like from the people around you. This behaviour may constitute discrimination, bullying or harassment (including sexual harassment).

Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Policy [PDF; 85KB]

The College is committed to supporting you, whether you choose to make a formal complaint or not.

RANZCP Confidential member advice line

The Confidential member advice line is managed by College staff as a call-back service separate to the main College phone line.

You're encouraged to call the confidential line if you believe you've experienced sexual harassment, or any other form of discrimination, bullying or harassment.

A College staff member will contact you, listen to your story and provide information on supports available. If appropriate and with your consent, you can be referred to RANZCP legal services for further advice. Staff will always try to minimise the number of times you need to tell your story.

Leave a message and request a call back at the following numbers:
1800 941 002 (Australia)
0800 220 728 (Aotearoa New Zealand)
support@ranzcp.org

What the College can do

The College can act on discrimination, bullying and harassment complaints relating to:

conduct at Board or Committee meetings
College education and training programs.

The College has limited investigative powers for issues that happen in the workplace.

In dealing with any complaint, the College is limited to disciplinary powers, and not compensation or other remedies.

The College works to ensure that all parties are treated fairly, and that there are not unduly harsh or unreasonable consequences of a complaint resolution.

Making a complaint to the RANZCP

RANZCP Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form

You may lodge a complaint anonymously. Lodging an anonymous complaint may affect how your complaint is managed or resolved.
Your complaint will not be shared outside of the RANZCP without your consent and will not be shared with your employer.
Complaints must be made in good faith, not be deliberately false, misleading or vexatious and must remain confidential throughout the process.
Information you provide in the form will be managed according to the College’s Privacy Policy.

You can ask for confidential assistance in completing the form by contacting legalservices@ranzcp.org.

Complaints process

Lodge complaint form with the College.
Receive acknowledgement of receipt of your complaint. The complaints resolution process and available supports will be explained to you.
The College CEO, and/or delegate may contact you to ask for more information. They may also contact the respondent.
With your consent, the respondent to the complaint will be provided with a de-identified copy of your complaint.
Your complaint may be referred to a relevant College committee for consideration. In resolving the complaint, the committee will:
- take a non-adversarial, resolution-focused approach
- provide natural justice and hear both accounts of the relevant events in a sensitive, non-prejudicial way
- be transparent with both the complainant and respondent and communicate with you during the process
- confidentially liaise with other College committees, where appropriate
- manage conflicts of interest following College guidelines.
The relevant parent committee or Board will resolve the complaint and recommended actions.
The College will communicate the outcomes with you and the respondent, and offer any support needed.

Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Complaint Resolution procedure

Possible outcomes of a complaint

The College may take actions including making changes to:

a person’s training status
accreditation of training posts or positions
accreditation of hospitals or institutions
accreditation of supervisors

The College may also:

refer a matter to the RANZCP’s Membership Conduct Committee for consideration
refer to another body, including employer organisations, regulatory bodies such as the Medical Board of Australia or the Medical Council of New Zealand, or independent mediators.

Complaints against supervisors

If an allegation is made against a trainee’s supervisor, there are several options available to the College, including:

A remediation process via the Branch Training Committee.
Not allocating another trainee to the that supervisor.
Board removal of the Member under the RANZCP Constitution.

Support during the complaints process

You might also it helpful to speak with a peer, supervisor, your Director of Training, your Bi-national Committee for Trainees representative, or Association of Psychiatry Trainees.

Support options

seek support from a trusted person, medical defence organisation, or legal representative
access resources on the RANZCP wellbeing support for members webpage
use the RANZCP Member Support Program – the College’s EAP provider which is free for members and external from the College and your employer
have a confidential discussion with the College using the Confidential Member Advice Line call back service available during weekdays.
Find a psychiatrist who can provide mental health treatment for trainees and psychiatrists
The Essential Network for Health Professionals for discreet and convenient support options.
In Australia, the Human Rights Commission, the Fair Work Commission, or the relevant WorkSafe body in your Australian state or territory
In New Zealand, the Human Rights Commission,Employment New Zealand, or WorkSafe.

Resources

The RANZCP is committed to addressing the longstanding inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, in both health outcomes and access to culturally safe mental health care. Central to this commitment is the College’s work to grow and sustain the Indigenous psychiatric workforce, promote cultural safety for both patients and psychiatrists, and embed culturally responsive practices across training, policy, and service delivery. Guided by its vision, the RANZCP acknowledges the enduring disparities in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori, which reflect systemic barriers to appropriate health services and the social determinants of health. The College is advancing this agenda through multiple initiatives, including increasing representation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples among its membership and staff, strengthening education in culturally appropriate care, and implementing its Reconciliation Action Plan and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.