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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
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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...
Rights and Freedoms

Corporate Social Responsibility

Business and human rights What's new? Four fact sheets to help make human rights part of your core business. The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed four short fact sheets to help Australian companies meet their responsibility to respect the human rights of those people impacted by...
Three cartoon faces with different skin tones are shown. The middle face has a barred mouth. Above is the text “BackMeUp"
Childrens Rights

Back Me Up

Back Me Up: Don't stand by, it could be you! Cyber-bullying project This campaign encourages young people to support their friends targeted by cyberbullying. June 2012 - October 2013 2013 campaign BackMeUp 2013 Winners It’s been a few months since Ruby Rose told a hall full of students that...
A mural on a cracked brick wall reads, 40,000 YEARS IS A LONG, LONG TIME... 40,000 YEARS STILL ON MY MIND, with some graffiti and drawings in the background.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Declaration dialogues

If we are serious about implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an overarching policy framework based on human rights standards is essential to ensuring a holistic approach that addresses the needs and priorities identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples...
Rights and Freedoms

Prisoners Rights

Prisoners, just like all other people, are entitled to enjoy their human rights. Prisoners can make complaints to the Commission about human rights breaches and discrimination that occurs in prison.