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Rights and Freedoms
10 December 2021Publication
Free and Equal: A reform agenda for federal discrimination laws (2021)
This Position Paper sets out the Australian Human Rights Commission’s proposals for reforming federal discrimination law in Australia. It forms part of the Commission’s Free and Equal project: A National conversation on human rights. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageInquiry into the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 and Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (2009)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission)[1] welcomes the opportunity to make this Submission to the Australian Government Review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (Cth) (the EOWW Act) and the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (the EOWA). -
Commission – General
3 November 2022Publication
Annual Report 2021-2022
This Annual Report sets out the performance of the Australian Human Rights Commission in the 2021–2022 financial year. -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2020-01-10
The complainant worked in an administrative role with the respondent electronics company. She alleged her manager sexually harassed her, including by making comments of a sexual nature and talking about his penis, pornography and his sex life. She said the manager’s conduct caused her great distress, requiring her to take time off work and see a psychologist. She alleged the company refused… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
26 July 2019PublicationMs BK, Ms CO and Mr DE on behalf of themselves and their families v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs)
The Australian Human Rights Commission has conducted an inquiry into three complaints arising from the practice of the Australian Government of sending to Nauru families with young children who arrived in Australia seeking asylum. -
14 April 2022Conciliation register
2021-04-06
The complainant has an intellectual disability and was enrolled in a course with the respondent vocational training provider to attain a qualification in aged care. She alleged she was refused an extension of time to complete the course requirements to accommodate her disability and her enrolment was terminated. On being notified of the complaint, the training organisation indicated a… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 March 2023Speech
Making rights a reality: the need for a Human Rights Act for Australia
This presentation, on International Human Rights Day, advances the case for a Human Rights Act for Australia, reflecting on experiences during COVID and the difference a Human Rights Act may have made. -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-16
The respondent labour-hire company placed the complainant at a dental practice in the role of dental assistant. The complainant alleged a dentist sexually harassed her, including by touching her arm, standing close to her, breathing down her neck and asking questions about her personal life. She alleged the labour-hire company stopped offering her work after she complained about the… -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-09
The complainant has depression, impaired mobility, is often bed-ridden and has an assistance animal. The complainant was a public housing tenant and claimed he was not permitted to install a fitted animal door on his property to allow his dog to move indoors and outdoors independently without the complainant having to get up to let the dog in or out. On being advised of the complaint, the… -
Rights and Freedoms
9 March 2023Media Release
Commission launches model for an Australian Human Rights Act
Australia is the only liberal democracy that does not have an act or charter of rights at the national level, and there are currently very few legal protections for the fundamental rights of Australians. -
8 April 2022Conciliation register
2020-08-06
The complainant identifies as non-binary and sought to have their gender identifier with two government agencies changed to ‘X’ and honorific changed to ‘MX’. The complainant said that neither agency would change their gender to ‘X’ or their honorific to ‘MX’. The complainant said one agency agreed to change their gender marker to ‘M’, which they prefer to ‘F’ and offered to have no… -
Children's Rights
11 November 2014SpeechChild Protection: Every Child’s Right
Megan MitchellNational Children’s Commissioner National Child Protection WeekBreakfast LaunchTuesday 9 September Introduction Thank you, Charlie and Zac, and good morning everyone. I’m delighted to be here this morning to help launch National Child Protection Week and to present the NAPCAN Play Your Part Award. Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are… -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-13
The complainant was employed with the respondent government agency. She alleged that a much older member of senior management groomed her over a period of time in a manner that constituted sexual harassment, including by approaching her at work and work drinks, connecting with her on a social networking site and privately messaging her on that site to tell her she was amazing. She said she… -
Complaint Information Service11 February 2020Webpage
Make an enquiry
The Commission's Information Services The Commission has two information services that you can contact for information about the Commission's complaint handling function. They are: The Respect@Work Information Service The National Information Service Currently, our Information Service phone lines are open Monday - Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM Sydney time. Enquiries can be… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
21 July 2017SpeechChildren and racism
Protecting young lives against racial discrimination. Insights from June Oscar AO from the Australian Human Rights Commission. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechMeeting with National Disability Advisory Council
You might have noticed that somehow governments never seem to want the same long term commitment from Human Rights Commissioners. In fact, they often seem quite happy to see us arrive at the end of a term of office ... . -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2019-07-08
The complainant has depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and has an assistance animal. He alleged the respondent accommodation provider denied him accommodation when made aware that he has an assistance dog, citing a ‘no pets’ policy. On being advised of the complaint, the accommodation provider indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation to try to resolve the complaint… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Australia’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
A. Introduction B. The ratification of OPCAT. C. A new torture offence D. Treatment in Immigration Detention E. A system of complementary protection F. Mechanisms to check diplomatic assurances are honoured G. Engagement with the UN Treaty Body process -
14 April 2022Conciliation register
2021-04-12
The complainant’s sex assigned at birth was female but they identify as non-binary/gender-fluid and is attracted to women. The complainant wished to attend an event hosted by the respondent. The website stated that the dress code was formal and that women must wear a dress and men must wear pants. The complainant alleged the respondent declined their request to wear a shirt and pants. The -
Complaint Information Service16 September 2021Webpage
Fact Sheet: Respect@Work - Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
On 11 September 2021 the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (Cth) (the Act) came into effect. The Act makes important amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the SDA) which were recommended by the Australian Human Rights Commission in the Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces.