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Quarter 2 Complaints Data

Overview

The latest data from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) reveals consumers and small businesses made 14,671 complaints between October and December 2023, an increase of 13.4 percent against the previous quarter.

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To view more data in detail or to view specific data, click on the 'Select Filters' button Select filters function on the top right corner of the dashboard. Click on the drop-down selection to select your desired data fields. Once you're done, click on the 'Clear Selected Filters' to remove all selected filters.

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Key data summary

Complaints increased by 13.4 percent compared to the previous quarter, but decreased 17.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Overall, six of the top ten issues increased compared to last quarter, with complaints about customer service and problems with a bill continuing to be the top issues for consumers. The most notable increases were in complaints related to a network outage and complaints about no phone or internet service.

 

Complaints data

Telstra made up a proportion of 36.8 percent of all complaints and Optus made up a proportion of 31.4 percent of all complaints. By volume, complaints about Optus increased 43.1 percent this quarter. Nine of the top ten providers recorded increases, while complaints about Southern Phone decreased.

 

Demographics data

The top three phone and internet problems faced by First Nations consumers and people who speak a language other than English are reflected in the national complaints picture – problems with customer service, problems with a bill and providers not doing what they say will do.

 

Complaints by location data

Nationally, the top five LGAs with the highest complaints were Brisbane (602), Gold Coast (323), Moreton Bay (291), Sunshine Coast (213) and Wyndham (206). Sunshine Coast is new to the top five LGAs, and Wyndham has dropped from number 3 to number 5 this quarter.

By clicking on a specific state, you can delve deeper into the insights and gain a better understanding of the complaints originating from that area. Not sure where your LGA is? Find out here WA, SA, TAS, QLD, VIC, NT, NSW.

 

Unresolved cases data

Unresolved complaints are complaints or enquiry-referrals that the consumer tells us were not resolved after TIO referred them to the telco. Complaints that come back to the TIO as unresolved have decreased 23.5 percent compared to the previous quarter.

 

Escalated cases data

Escalated complaints are a subset of unresolved complaints that proceed to dispute resolution. Some unresolved complaints are not escalated since they are resolved before being assigned to a case officer. Complaints that are escalated to dispute resolution have decreased 21.8 percent compared to the previous quarter.

 

Complaint outcomes

The total financial outcome returned to residential consumers for the period was $588,510 and $395,188 returned to small businesses. Of the complaints that proceeded to dispute resolution, 58.2 percent of cases were closed within 60 days. 

 

Complaint issues and keywords

Issues in complaints are recorded based on six broad categories that follow the lifecycle of a consumer’s relationship with their phone or internet provider. A single complaint can have more than one issue.

Help with data navigation

To view more data in detail or to view specific data, click on the 'Select Filters' button Select filters function on the top right corner of the dashboard. Click on the drop-down selection to select your desired data fields. Once you're done, click on the 'Clear Selected Filters' to remove all selected filters.

To open a report visual in focus mode, hover over the visual and select the Focus mode icon   .

 

Questions? 

For more information, email mediaenquiries@tio.com.au