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A diverse group of people stand together against a colorful abstract background. The image is the cover of a report titled The National Anti-Racism Framework by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Race Discrimination

National Anti-Racism Framework

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a plan to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework. The Commission is working with all levels of Government, peak bodies, human rights agencies and community organisations to progress the Framework.

Six women stand together smiling outdoors; four wear military camouflage uniforms, two wear civilian clothing. They are standing on a paved road with mountains and buildings visible in the background.
Sex Discrimination

Collaboration for Cultural Reform in Defence

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) collaborates with Defence to support and improve Defence’s cultural reform priorities. The Commission—Defence Collaboration is held up internationally as a unique example of a positive and productive partnership between a national human rights...
A world map made of orange circles with target symbols, featuring logos for UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and UN Women at the bottom right.
Sex Discrimination

Violence against women

Violence against women Violence against women continues to be one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in Australia, and around the world. One in three women in Australia will experience violence in her lifetime and one in five will experience sexual violence. [1] The United Nations Declaration...
A group of people sit around a large table in a bright office, engaged in discussion. One man stands while others sit, listening and talking. Sunlight streams through large windows in the background.
Race Discrimination

Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a free online tool to help businesses enhance productivity through a culturally diverse workplace. Based on international best practice, the Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool is a ‘how to’ guide to workplace cultural diversity. Why should we focus...
Flower Gate
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Refugees with adverse security assessments

The Commission has serious concerns about the situation for people who have been found to be refugees, but who have received adverse security assessments from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). For information about refugees with adverse security assessments, see the...
A child's painting shows two people on a brown boat in blue waves, with a fence in the water. The text at the bottom reads “NO WAY TO AUSTRALIA"
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries

Updated 6 January 2016 In August 2012 the Australian Government introduced a third country processing regime for asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat, without a valid visa. There are many aspects of this regime which may lead to breaches of Australia’s human rights obligations. The third...
An illustration shows the text, Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution, above an image of a yellow envelope with a person symbol inside.

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...
A blue flag with the white United Nations emblem flutters in the wind against a clear blue sky, with sunlight shining at the top of the flagpole.

Supporting participation in key international forums

The Commission welcomes proposals for funding to support the participation of people with disability and organisations representing people with disability to attend key international forums on human rights
Sex Discrimination

Investing in care: Recognising and valuing those who care

Background In 2009, the Commission examined the gender gap in retirement savings in the report, Accumulating poverty? Women’s experiences of inequality over the lifecycle. The report identified three strategies to redress women’s disadvantage in the current retirement income system including...
Australian $10 banknote featuring a portrait of a woman, blue and yellow patterns, the word Australia, and an image of a historic scene with a wagon and statue in the background.
Sex Discrimination

Ensuring women's lifetime economic security

The gender gap in retirement savings There is a large gap between the superannuation savings of Australian men and women. Because the current superannuation system is linked to paid work, it overwhelmingly disadvantages women who are more likely to move in and out of paid work to care for family...
Poster with bold text asking if you have been treated unfairly because of your age, listing examples, advice on what you can do, and contact information for the Australian Human Rights Commission. Background is blue and purple.
Childrens Rights

Discrimination: Don't cop it!

Discrimination. Don't cop it! You don’t have to put up with being treated unfairly because you’re young. There are laws to protect you against discrimination, harassment and bullying. These laws apply right across Australia. If you have a complaint, the Australian Human Rights Commission can look...

CERD

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1966 (CERD) (the Convention) was one of the first human rights treaties to be adopted by the United Nations. More than 156 countries (four-fifths of the membership of the UN) have ratified the Convention; including Australia...
Rights and Freedoms

Right to vote

The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18...