Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Complaints

Projects

crowd walking over binary code
Rights Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights and Technology

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow led a three-year project on the human rights implications of new technology.

sun over a pathway between trees
Rights Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Religion

For over 20 years now, the Commission has advocated for more comprehensive legal protection in Australia for freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
OPCAT
Rights Rights and Freedoms

OPCAT: Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. OPCAT places an obligation to establish a system of regular...
Native title report 2021
Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native Title Report 2021

To contribute to the Native Title Report 2021, please complete either or both of the survey and guided submission form
Cartoon of Megan Mitchell with kids. Speech bubble:"Did you know there are 5.5 million children (everyone under 18) in Australia? That's a lot of you!
Children's Children's Rights

Children's Rights Reports

The National Children's Commissioner produces a report every year on the state of children's rights in Australia.
A compilation of the front covers of the Children's Rights Reports 2013-2017
Children's Children's Rights

Child-friendly versions of the Children's Rights Reports

What are the Children's Rights Reports? The National Children's Commissioner has to submit a report every year on the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by children and young people in Australia. This page contains an overview of all of the child friendly versions of the Children's Rights...
Ship at port
Business and Human Rights Business and Human Rights

Director Briefings on responding to the Modern Slavery Act (2019)

Throughout October and November 2019 the Commission, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and KPMG Australia co-hosted a range of panel events for company directors in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The event series titled, Directors Briefing: Modern Slavery...
teacher showing globe to class
Children's Children's Rights

Reporting to the United Nations on Children's Rights

In September 2019, Australia appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. This UN Committee monitors Australia’s progress in fulfilling its obligations under: • the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) • the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the...
Farmer in a rice field
Business and Human Rights Business and Human Rights

Australian Dialogues on Business and Human Rights (2014-2019)

Between 2014 and 2019 the Commission and the Global Compact Network Australia co-hosted the annual Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights. The Dialogues are multi-sector, multi-stakeholder events, that bring together leaders and experts to progress the business and human rights agenda...
RAAF smoking ceremony
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

Indigenous Defence Project

Defence has requested the Australian Human Rights Commission to complete a project on the attraction, recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Defence Australian Public Service (Defence APS).
Muslim couple on the beach
Race Race Discrimination

Sharing the Stories of Australian Muslims

The Race Discrimination Commissioner is undertaking a project to listen to and share the stories of Australian Muslims. Specifically, the project aims to build robust intelligence about the experience of Australian Muslims to inform the Australian Human Rights Commission’s work in promoting social...
children at the sunset
Rights Rights and Freedoms

Free and Equal Conference

The Free and Equal conference was the centrepiece of a national conversation and once-in-a-decade event. The conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Tuesday 8 October 2019.