Complaints

Projects

Immigration detention centre in dusty field
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Immigration detention and human rights

The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party.

Banner Image with title that reads: On Your Terms youth survey on consent and sex ed. Background image two teenagers leaning against a wall with one person's arm resting on the other's shoulder
Children's Rights

On Your Terms: Youth survey on consent and sex ed

Under the direction of the National Children’s Commissioner, the Children’s Rights Team at the Australian Human Rights Commission has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Education to conduct a study on 14-18-year-old's experiences of, and attitudes towards, consent, respectful...
Boy wearing hoodie behind a wire fence
Children's Rights

Youth Justice and Child Wellbeing Reform Across Australia

Background In 2023-24, the National Children’s Commissioner conducted a project that investigated opportunities for reform of youth justice and related systems across Australia based on evidence and the protection of human rights. The project explored ways to reduce children’s involvement in crime...
Young girl in the foreground, older man in the background
Children's Rights

Supporting Quality Engagement with Children

Project overview The Supporting Quality Engagement with Children consultation project aims to include the voices of children, young people and their families in policies and services that directly affect them. The five Key National Strategies   The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds is...
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 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 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...
teacher showing globe to class
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...
children at the sunset
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.
children smiling
Children's Rights

Child Safe Organisations

The National Principles aim to provide a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures that foster child safety and wellbeing across all sectors in Australia.
Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource

Bringing them Home was the name given to the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now called the Australian Human Rights Commission). The National...
International

HRTC highlights newsletter - April 2016

Working internationally to advance human rights Welcome Welcome to the first bi-annual newsletter for the Human Rights Technical Cooperation (HRTC) Programs. HRTC Highlights is a new initiative that will provide you with updates from our international human rights activities. This edition highlights...
What does the 2014 report says
Children's Rights

Child-friendly version of the Children's Rights Report 2014

In December 2014, the National Children's Commissioner published a child-friendly version of her Children’s Rights Report 2014. The child-friendly report is a short, easy-to-read summary of the contents of the National Children's Commissioner's report to Parliament. The National Children's...
Cover page: UNITE - to end violence against women (UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women)
Sex Discrimination

Violence against women

Violence against women continues to be one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in Australia, and around the world.
Young children eating lunch in their uniform
Children's Rights

Statement of Intent on Children's Rights in Early Childhood Education and Care

In 2014, the National Children's Commissioner worked with Early Childhood Australia (ECA) to develop a Statement of Intent on Children’s Rights in Early Childhood Education and Care (Statement of Intent). The Statement of Intent identifies priority areas for action. It is a practical tool designed...