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LGBTIQ+
7 September 2017PublicationReligious exemptions under the SDA - Information Sheet (2017)
This information sheet gives an overview of the religious exemptions to unlawful discrimination in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA). -
Age Discrimination
15 June 2023Media ReleaseNew multicultural education campaign seeks to reduce elder abuse via later life planning
A new education campaign is urging older Australians from a range of culturally diverse backgrounds to safeguard themselves against elder abuse by organising their wills, enduring powers of attorney and other important legal documents. Launching on this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Have You Thought About Later Life? campaign has been produced by the Australian Human Rights ... -
Race Discrimination
5 February 2024News story
Commission welcomes new Race Discrimination Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Giridharan Sivaraman as the new Race Discrimination Commissioner. “We are very excited by this appointment. On behalf of the Commission, I would like to warmly welcome Giridharan Sivaraman to the role of Race Discrimination Commissioner,” said Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM. “For decades, the fight ... -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012PublicationDisability Rights: Not for Service: Index
Not For Service: Experiences of Injustice and Despair in Mental Health Care in Australia is the most significant report on mental health care in Australia for over a decade. In 1992 all Australian Governments initiated the National Mental Health Strategy to correct decades of neglect and assure the rights of people with mental illness. In 1993, the Australian Human Rights Commission's National Inquiry into the Human Rights of People with Mental Illness ('Burdekin Report') exposed the devastating personal consequences of grossly inadequate mental health and welfare services. -
Race Discrimination
9 May 2024News story
Commission to lead historic anti-racism study into universities
The Australian Human Rights Commission will lead a groundbreaking independent study to better understand and address the dangerous prevalence of racism at universities, after receiving $2.5 million in Commonwealth funding. Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman said the study will be “comprehensive”, with university students and staff to share their experiences of racism, and ... -
Sex Discrimination
20 May 2014PublicationRecognising and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace
What is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. If a reasonable person would anticipate this behaviour might make you feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, it may be sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) . Some examples of behaviour that may be sexual harassment include: Sexually suggestive ... -
Age Discrimination
9 May 2024Media Release
Age Discrimination Commissioner calls for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has called on the Federal Government to formally endorse the creation of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, in what he said remains a missing piece in the international human rights framework. Currently, there is no binding international instrument dedicated to the rights of older persons, like there is for race, sex ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
27 March 2024Media ReleaseCommissioner June Oscar welcomes Institute funding
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar welcomed the Commonwealth’s funding of the new Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University. The Institute is the first of its kind in the world and will bring together First Nations researchers to develop and design initiatives to improve outcomes for Aboriginal ... -
Race Discrimination
13 October 2023Media Release
Commission President calls for human rights in Australia to be upheld in wake of Middle East conflict
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission is calling for respect for human rights to be front of mind for all Australians as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen. Commission President and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM said: “The devastating conflict in Israel and Gaza and its horrific civilian fallout is impacting ... -
Sex Discrimination
9 June 2023Media Release
Commission welcomes passage of new ACT intersex laws
New legislation protecting the rights of people in the Australian Capital Territory who have variations in sex characteristics (VSC) has been welcomed by the Commission. Yesterday the ACT Parliament passed the Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2023 establishes legal protections and processes to support people with VSC to make their own decisions about permanent ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 March 2023Media Release
Deadline extended for no-cost applications to attend landmark First Nations women’s summit
The deadline for sponsored delegate applications for the Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit has been extended to Sunday 2 April 2023. -
Children's Rights
27 October 2021News story
Child-friendly guide to help understand child sexual abuse
The Australian Human Rights Commission has worked with the National Office for Child Safety to develop a guide to help children and young people understand child sexual abuse, and how to seek help. The guide was launched today to support Australia’s first ever National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse. National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: “Child sexual abuse is ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
2 April 2024Media Release
Katie Kiss commences as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Australia’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, said in the wake of the devastating outcome of last year’s Voice referendum, Australia must consider the next steps, and prioritise finding ways to heal and soothe divisions. This includes making meaningful progress in addressing the systemic and structural discrimination experienced by First Nations ... -
Age Discrimination
14 December 2012Publication
Age Discrimination: exposing the hidden barrier for mature age workers
Since the introduction of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth), experiences of age discrimination in employment among mature age workers have featured prominently in the complaints of age discrimination received by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2008-09, I undertook a series of consultations with peak bodies including age-based community groups, legal service providers, business groups, unions, academics and relevant government departments. As well I undertook research to learn more about the barriers to employment facing mature age workers. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
17 June 2019Media ReleaseRisk management in immigration detention report released
Any significant restrictions imposed on a person held in immigration detention, including the widespread use of restraints like handcuffs, must be tailored to individual circumstances and risks, according to a new report released by the Australian Human Rights Commission today . The Commission has made 34 recommendations to improve risk management practice based on its inspections of detention ... -
Race Discrimination
7 November 2022Media Release
Attorney-General commits Government to anti-racism strategy in Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
“Australia’s continued success as a multicultural nation must include an ongoing commitment to addressing racism,” the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said. -
Rights and Freedoms
8 May 2024Media Release2-for-1 tickets arrive right on time for all-star Vivid Sydney human rights show
Vivid Sydney festivalgoers looking for some fabulous intellectual entertainment can now have double the fun at the Rights On Time panel show on Thursday 6 June with a 2-for-1 ticket offer now available! Get set for the time of your rights as ‘sleek geek’ Adam Spencer corrals some of Australia’s favourite TV personalities, comedians, legal eagles and social justice advocates as they travel through ... -
Children's Rights
13 February 2024Media Release
AHRC welcomes announcement of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today that a new position will be created for a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner. Advocates and peak bodies representing Australia’s First Nations children have long sought a National Commissioner to promote the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children and ... -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
20 June 2023Media Release
Inspection report: Serious human rights concerns in hotel detention
Explore an inspection report by the Commission that found serious human rights concerns persist in the use of hotels as alternative places of detention. -
Children's Rights
16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at raising ...