Skip to main content

Disability rights

Explore your rights to be free from disability discrimination, what constitutes unlawful treatment, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Disability rights Article

Summary

People with disability are often treated unfairly or not given the same opportunities as others because of their disability.

We all have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.

Learn more:

Know your rights

What is disability discrimination?

Disability discrimination is when someone with a disability is treated less favourably than someone without a disability in the same or a similar situation.

Disability discrimination and the law

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person in many areas of public life.

Disability Discrimination Act review

Understand proposed improvements to the Disability Discrimination Act through the Australian Government's 2025 review and reform process for stronger

Disability discrimination and the workplace

Understand your rights at work: how disability discrimination laws protect employees and what reasonable adjustments employers must provide.

Inclusive employment initiative (Equality at Work)

Equality at Work is a national initiative supporting inclusive employment by partnering with people with disability and employers to create opportunity.

Guides, statistics and facts about disability rights

Access guides, fact sheets, statistics and resources to understand your rights if you have a disability and how discrimination laws protect you.

What we're doing

We work to promote the rights of people with disability through advocacy, education and initiatives that promote dignity, respect and equal participation.

Standards and guidelines

The Commission writes guidelines, based on standards, to help organisations put human rights into practice.

Haven't found what you're looking for?

If you're looking for information on meaningful employment opportunities for Australians with disability then access Equality at Work. Equality at Work is a national initiative supporting inclusive employment by partnering with people with disability and employers.

National initiative supporting inclusive employment

Liam's Story

Liam Denning found a job working with Kmart through the IncludeAbility Illawarra pilot program

Learn about Liam's story
Liam's Story

Have you experienced disability discrimination?

We're here to help

You may want to deal with the situation yourself by raising it directly with the person or people involved or with a supervisor, manager or discrimination/harassment contact officer.

What action can you take?

Support

Explore disability legal services.

You might also like

Disability rights training

Disability rights
Training
2 April 2026

Older workers' rights training

Older people’s rights
Training
29 May 2026

National initiative supporting inclusive employment

Disability rights
Standard
15 November 2025

Preventing discrimination in your workplace

Employment and workplace
Training course
15 November 2025

Disability discrimination and the law

Disability rights
Legal
15 November 2025

Have a question about discrimination or sexual harassment? Want to know more about human rights? Contact us if you need help.

Contact us
Subscribe to our mailing list to join a community of human rights advocates, and stay in the loop about our latest updates.