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Complaints

Projects

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.

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 laptop with various white digital and technology icons flowing upward from the screen on a blue background, representing internet connectivity and digital communication.
Rights and Freedoms

Human rights and the Internet

The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights
A smiling person wearing glasses, a green feather boa, and holding a sign stands among a crowd at a pride event. People around wave rainbow flags and colorful decorations are visible in the background.
Rights and Freedoms

Right to freedom of information, opinion and expression

Introduction This page provides access to a range of Commission work regarding the right to freedom of information, opinion and expression. More resources are available on our Human Rights: Right by Right page for freedom of information, opinion and expression, including the Human Rights Committee's...
A rainbow flag with six horizontal stripesred, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violetwaves against a clear blue sky. The flag is commonly known as the pride flag, representing LGBTQ+ pride.
LGBTIQ+

New protection

New protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status What is changing? From 1 August 2013 it became unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status under federal law. Same-sex...
Illustration of raised hands, a flying dove with an olive branch, and the quote All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Additional text about acting in a spirit of brotherhood appears below.
Rights and Freedoms

Rights and freedoms - right by right

As part of the development of our new website we are developing pages on human rights scrutiny by reference to each area of rights and obligations set out in the main human rights treaties which have been developed by the international community and adopted by Australia in the years since the...
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
White gas mask icon on a black square background, showing eye openings and a circular filter with holes in the center.
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:
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...
A black and yellow banner features a wheelchair symbol forming the number 20, with the words Years Stories and a bottom caption: celebrating 20 years of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Disability Rights

Twenty Years: Twenty Stories

Twenty Years: Twenty Stories celebrating 20 years of the Disability Discrimination Act Twenty years ago, life for millions of Australians got easier. The then Deputy Prime Minister in the Keating government, Brian Howe, introduced an Act that would, for the first time at a national level, make it...
A rainbow pride flag with six horizontal stripesred, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violetflies against a clear blue sky.
LGBTIQ+

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality Consultation on Protection from Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity Do you think you have been discriminated against in employment for reasons relating to your sexuality? See our Complaints page for...