Legislation

There are Federal laws to protect people from discrimination and from breaches of their human rights. The Australian Human Rights Commission have responsibilities under these laws to investigate and conciliate complaints of discrimination and human rights breaches.

The following links provide information about the laws that protect people from discrimination in employment, education, the provision of goods, services and facilities, accommodation, sport and the administration of Commonwealth laws and services.

Age Discrimination Act 2004

The Age Discrimination Act 2004 protects people from age discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs. Review the Australian Human Rights Commission's work in the area of Age Discrimination.

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 seeks to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. Review the Australian Human Rights Commission's work in the area of Disability Discrimination.

Racial Discrimination Act 1975

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 promotes equality before the law for all people regardless of race, colour or national or ethnic origin. It is unlawful to discrimination against people on the basis of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin. Review the Australian Human Rights Commission's work in the area of Race Discrimination.

Sex Discrimination Act 1984

The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 protects people from unfair treatment on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status, pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also protects workers with family responsibilities and makes sexual harassment against the law. Review the Australian Human Rights Commission's work in the area of Sex Discrimination.

Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986

The Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 articulates the Australian Human Rights Commission role and responsibilities. It gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the following:

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
• Convention Concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation (ILO 111)
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Declaration of the Rights of the Child
• Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons
• Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons
• Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

The Australian Human Rights Commission protects and promotes human rights in Australia and internationally. The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory organisation, established by an act of Federal Parliament. Read more about the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Further reading

• Read revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights, the final report of the Commission's major, five year Inquiry into Australia's human rights framework. It recommends a National Human Rights Act for Australia and a framework to support it.
• Review the latest News from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
• Have Your Say on the current inquiries, projects and conversations about human rights in Australia.
• Review accurate and easy to understand statistics about key areas of human rights in Australia.
• Find out more about how the Australian Human Rights Commission was established.