Welcome to the NSW Ombudsman website

The word ‘ombudsman’ dates back to 1809 when the Swedish Parliament created a new official known as the Justitie-Ombudsman. This loosely translates as ‘citizen's defender’ or ‘representative of the people’. In Swedish the word ‘ombudsman’ is without gender and can indicate a person of either sex.

The first NSW Ombudsman was appointed in 1975 and the legislation became operative in May that year. Since then, there have been many changes - public authorities have merged and separated and there have been five different Ombudsman.

The current Ombudsman is Mr Bruce Barbour.

 

Notice:

If you have sent an online complaint, training request or publication order between 23 October to 2 November 2009, it may not have reached the office. There were technical difficulties with our online forms, and we may not have received your complaint/request. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please resend via nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au