Rights and Freedoms
Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights
What makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? What are we doing well and what steps do we still need to take?
Projects
Rights and Freedoms
Disability Rights
Assistance animals and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
It ’s widely recognised that some people with disability require support services and assistive technology to facilitate their active participation in public life and for personal activities. The types of support that can be provided can come from a range of sources, including by trained and skilled...
Legal
BSWAT: temporary exemption
On 18 December 2015 the Commission granted a limited, conditional, temporary exemption to the Commonwealth and certain ADEs.
Sex Discrimination
International Cooperation on Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence
Women’s rights and addressing domestic violence feature prominently in the Commission’s international cooperation work. The China-Australia Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program has been in operation since 1998 and is part of the formal human rights dialogue between the two countries. Under...
LGBTIQ+
SOGII Rights
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights Final report released 10 June 2015. Read the full report: Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation Gender Identity & Intersex Rights 2015 Former Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson, conducted consultations to explore key rights issues...
Disability Rights
Access to justice in the criminal justice system for people with disability
This project focuses on people with disabilities who need communication supports or who have complex and multiple support needs and who have come in contact with the criminal justice system.
Race Discrimination
At a glance: Racial vilification under sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
What does the law say?
Immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
The Commission seeks to ensure that the human rights of all people held in immigration detention in Australia are protected. The Commission has focused its recent immigration detention work on the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and children, because they have specific...
Rights and Freedoms
Human rights and the Internet
The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights
LGBTIQ+
New protection
Learn about new protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Rights and Freedoms
Counter-terrorism and human rights
Since the events in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Australian Government has introduced more than 40 new counter-terrorism laws. Amongst other things, these laws have created:Balancing paid work and family responsibilities
Successfully balancing paid work with family responsibilities remains a major challenge for a large number of Australians. With women continuing to carry the majority of Australia’s unpaid caring work, creating workplaces that support women and men to balance paid work and share caring...
LGBTIQ+
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality
Do you think you have been discriminated against in employment for reasons relating to your sexuality? See our Complaints page for information on how to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Race Discrimination
In our own words - African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues (2010)
In 2007, the former Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, had a vision to develop a human rights initiative based on the experiences of African Australians, to inform future policy and programs.
Rights and Freedoms
