What does discrimination mean?
Learn what discrimination means under Australian law and how federal, state and territory laws protect people from unfair treatment and harassment.
Summary
Discrimination is when you are treated unfairly or differently from others because of a particular personal characteristic. People may experience discrimination in many areas of their daily life.
You may face discrimination:
- at school, TAFE or University
- in the place where you work or when you are applying for jobs
- when renting or trying to rent accommodation
- when accessing premises e.g.
- libraries
- places of worship
- government offices
- hospitals
- restaurants
- When you participate in sport or clubs
- when you go shopping or when you use services such as banks or clubs
- when you use government services such as hospitals or transport
- on the internet when people write offensive comments or show offensive videos, or when you cannot get information because it is in a format that is inaccessible to you.
What are some of the different types of discrimination?
Some types of discrimination are against the law. You can make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission if you experience these types of discrimination. The following types of discrimination are against the law:
| Type of discrimination | Example |
|---|---|
| If you are treated unfairly because you have disabilities (disability discrimination) | you may be treated unfairly because you use a wheelchair, because you are deaf or because you have a mental health condition |
| If you are treated unfairly because of your race (racism) | you may be treated unfairly because of your skin colour or because of your race |
| If you are treated unfairly because of your sex(sexism) | you may be treated unfairly because you are a woman, because you are pregnant or because of your family responsibilities. This includes sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour such as unwelcome touching or sexually explicit comments |
| If you are treated unfairly because of your age (ageism) | you may be treated unfairly because you are younger or older |
| If you are treated unfairly in your job or when you are trying to get a job | you may be treated unfairly because you have a criminal record or because of your trade union activity, your sexual preference or your religion |
Dealing with discrimination
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent organisation that investigates complaints about discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment on the basis of race, colour, descent, gender, disability, age and other grounds.
For free advice on discrimination and your rights, or to make a complaint, call our National Information Service on 02 9284 9888/1300 656 419 (local call) or 1800 620 241 (toll free). You can also email us at complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au
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