Any member of the public who is or has been a client of a professional member, hereinafter called a practitioner, of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda inc., hereinafter called the AAA, has the right to lodge a complaint against the practitioner to the AAA if the services provided by the practitioner is unsatisfactory or he/she believes that he/she may have been subjected to sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, racial vilification, or racial discrimination or racial discrimination as defined by the State / Territory and Commonwealth Acts, Laws, By-Laws and Regulations of the relevant State/ Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Procedure

• The complaint must be lodged in writing to the Secretary or the President of the AAA.
• The complaint must contain
  i. The name, address and contact details of the complainant and the parties involved
  ii. The name and address of the practitioner and the location where the alleged incident may have occurred
  iii. A clear description of the alleged incident.
• As soon as it is practical, the President or Secretary will notify the complainant that the complaint has been received and arrange a meeting of the Executive Committee, also known as the EC.
• The EC will establish a 3-members Sub-Committee to investigate the complaint.
• The Chairman of the Sub-Committee will forward a copy of the complaint to the practitioner against whom the complaint is lodged for the right of reply by the practitioner.
• After receiving the practitioner's response, the Sub-Committee will look into the issue as soon as it feels fit, report back to the EC with its recommendations.
• Upon receipt of the report of the Sub -Committee the EC will consider the
• It is the aim of the AAA to reach an amicable resolution between the parties.
• If a settlement cannot be achieved amicably, the AAA will inform the complainant of additional options, including filing a complaint with the appropriate State or Territory's Equal Opportunity or Consumers Affairs Commission, starting a lawsuit, etc.
• If a practitioner commits a major violation of the AAA Code of Ethics, the EC may determine that it is appropriate to suspend or cancel the practitioner's membership altogether until such time as it is deemed suitable to reinstate the practitioner.
• In case of cancellation or suspension of membership the practitioner will be given an opportunity to appeal against the decision of the EC in writing.
  i. Upon receipt of the appeal the EC will establish a separate 3-members Sub- Committee to consider the Appeal.
  ii. The appellant will be given full opportunity to present his/her case to the Appeal Sub- Committee.
  iii. The decision of the Appeal Sub-Committee will be the final.