Star Rating
If your complaint relates to facilities at the property and standard of the accommodation you can contact STAR Ratings Australia if the property is STAR rated.
For all STAR Rating enquiries:
Phone: +61 3 9601 3325
Fax: +61 3 9601 3300
The Australian STAR Rating Scheme is managed by Star Ratings Australia (a division of Australian Motoring Services), on behalf of Australia’s Auto Clubs and assesses six accommodation categories, including hotels and motels, serviced apartments and self-catering properties, hosted accommodation (B&Bs) and caravan/holiday parks.
The Star Rating scheme is an accreditation scheme available to all compliant tourist accommodation in Australia. There scheme has been reviewed numerous times over many decades and completed the most recent review process recently. There is no international scheme.
STAR Rated properties are continually assessed by Official STAR Rating Assessors against more than 200 criteria from three key areas:
1. Facilities & Services
2. Cleanliness
3. Quality & Condition
STAR Rating criteria are ranked according to their importance to the consumer.
STARS represent levels of quality, rather than superiority. That means if a property has just one or two stars, it can still be a great place to stay if you are looking for a property with that level of quality.
Star Rated and self rated are very different things. Self rated accommodation apply a measure generally on the same scale (out of 5) as Stars based on the perception of the owner or manager of the property in their own assessment. Generally self rated properties will show a "•" as opposed to the official five pointed star for star rated properties. Regardless you may find some properties misrepresenting themselves and may wish to refer to the official star ratings website.
Health and Safety Issues
If your complaint relates to the condition of your accommodation in terms of health, hygiene and safety you can contact the local council or Department of Health for the relevant state. Instances such as these would relate to severe instances relating to public health matters not simply poor cleaning standards. If your complaint relates to simple poor cleaning make a complaint to the property.
Illegal Activities and Damage
If your complaint relates to illegal activities taking place at the property during your stay or incidents involving violence or damage to property you can contact the local police for the relevant state.
Loss or Damage relating to personal items
It is never a pleasant experience to misplace personal valuables, have them stolen or damaged let alone when traveling.
Travelers should be aware that:
- Most states and territories in Australia place a limitation on the liability of accommodation providers. You should make yourself aware of those limitations.
- Lost items are not covered - loss does not mean lost.
If you wish to lodge a complaint, you will need to consider the nature of the complaint as direct it appropriately for:
Innkeeper's Legal Liability
In the event that your property is damaged or stolen during your stay, accommodation providers may have a limited liability for the loss of guest property in certain circumstances. The extent of this liability varies according to state laws as listed below. Liability of the accommodation provider will generaly only apply to a guest of the accommodation on the day that accommodation is provided and excludes certain items such as cars, animals etc. For full details guests should consult the detail of the relevant legislation in the relevant state.
State Legislation relating to Innkeeper’s Limited Liability:
ACT - Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 ss151, 152
NT - Accommodation Providers Act 2002 ss5, 6, 7
NSW - Innkeepers Act 1968 s7
QLD - Traveller Accommodation Providers (Liability) Act 2001 s12
TAS - Civil Liability Act 2002 s49A
VIC - Carriers and Innkeepers Act 1958 ss29, 30 (expires 01/09/12) replaced by Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012
WA - Liquor Licensing Act 1988 s107
SA - There are no equivalent provisions in South Australia