Positive duty research
Explore research findings on preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment and conduct covered by the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act.
Summary
Research reports and projects related to the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act.
Early Career Experiences in Frontline Occupations: A Gender Lens on Drivers and Impacts
In late 2025 the Australian Research Council approved funding for a new research partnership between the Australian Human Rights Commission, the University of Sydney, the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, the United Workers Union, the Electrical Trades Union, and the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. The research project, Early Career Experiences in Frontline Occupations: A Gender Lens on Drivers and Impacts, will examine experiences of young workers in retail, hospitality, electrical trades and nursing. It is a 2-year project that will be led by Professors Rae Cooper and Elizabeth Hill at the University of Sydney. It will commence in the second half of 2026.
Cultivating Systemic Safety and Inclusion to Prevent Workplace Sexual Harassment
Launched in February 2025, the Australian Human Rights Commission is a partner in research led by Professor Michelle Tuckey at the University of South Australia.
Find more information at the Bridges at Work website
Director's guide to the positive duty
The director’s guide to the positive duty provides practical guidance to Australian directors to meet their positive duty obligations in preventing workplace sexual harassment and similar harmful conduct.
Time for respect report (2022)
Fifth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces
This survey investigates the prevalence of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
For the first time it asked about workers' views on their employer’s action to address it.
Set the standard report (2021)
Report on the independent review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
Recommendations to support safe and respectful parliamentary workplaces.
Led by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins
Set the standard
Summary report
Respect@Work report (2020)
National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces
Respect@Work Report
Led by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins
