Refine results
-
Age Discrimination19 December 2024Webpage
About making a complaint
If you experience discrimination, you can address it directly or make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Complaints can be made online or in writing. -
12 December 2024Conciliation register
2024-06-04
The complainant alleged that a manager sexually harassed her by having unconsensual sex with her after a work Christmas party at his home when she was intoxicated and unconscious. The complainant was no longer employed with the company at the time the complaint was lodged. The company claimed it could not be held liable for any alleged sexual harassment. The company said it had communicated… -
Commission – General15 March 2024Speech
Australian Human Rights Commission’s complaint handling jurisdiction
Civil Justice Research Conference 2019 Macquarie University, Sydney Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Abstract The complaint handling role of the Australian Human Rights Commission from time to time attracts some attention in the media—but not always for constructive reasons. This presentation set out the real story. It is one that is a worthy… -
Complaint Information Service3 February 2023Webpage
Fact Sheet: Respect@Work – Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act (December 2022)
On 12 December 2022, the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Cth) (the Act) came into effect. The Act makes important amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the SDA) and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (the AHRCA). These changes were recommended by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission)… -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Freedom of Information
Any person, which includes persons resident in Australia or abroad, whether or not they are Australian citizens, companies, prisoners or children may make a Freedom of Information request. -
2 October 2018Webpage
Make a complaint
The Australian Human Rights Commission investigates and conciliates complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights. -
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. -
Race Discrimination14 December 2012Webpage
Racial Discrimination Act complaints : Conciliated Outcomes examples
Under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 it is unlawful to do any act involving a distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on equal footing, of any human right or fundamental freedom in the political, economic, social, cultural or… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Publication
Alternative Dispute Resolution in education: case studies in resolving complaints of Disability Discrimination (2002)
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) came into effect in March 1993. The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with a disability in many areas of public life. The purpose of the Act was to 'assist people with disabilities to exercise their rights as Australian citizens'(3) in recognition that 'people with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and same opportunities… -
Sex Discrimination15 July 2015Webpage
Assistance and making a complaint
The decision of where to bring a complaint is a complex one and legal advice should be sought. It can depend on several factors like the time it will take for a complaint to be dealt with, time limits on lodging the complaint and the range of remedies or relief that are available if the matter has to go to court. The following organisations may be able to provide assistance and advice:… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Publication
Behind closed doors: Approaches to resolving complaints of sexual harassment in employment
This paper looks specifically at the issue of sexual harassment in employment and approaches to resolving associated complaints that are brought before the Australian Human Rights Commission ("AHRC"). -
14 December 2012Book page
Human Rights 21: Resolving Discrimination Fairly
It can mean losing a job or getting passed over for an interview, being excluded from a venue, being abused on the street for how you look or feeling intimidated by a boss who won’t take no for an answer. -
Rights and Freedoms3 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 December 2012Book page
Report on performance
We have developed key performance indicators which form the basis for ongoing assessment of the complaint service. These indicators, and our performance in 2010-11 in relation to these indicators, are summarised below. Timeliness. Our stated performance standard is for 80% of complaints to be finalised within 12 months of receipt. In 2010-11, we finalised 94% of matters within 12 months. The… -
14 December 2012Book page
Report on performance - Annual Report 2011-2012: Australian Human Rights Commission
We have developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and standards that form the basis for ongoing assessment of the complaint service. These indicators, and our performance in 2011-12 in relation to these indicators, are summarised below. In comparison with the last reporting year, the Service has seen a level of improvement across all KPIs. -
Employers11 February 2015Webpage
Good practice guidelines for internal complaint processes
Good practice guidelines for internal complaint processes PDF (676 KB) Good practice guidelines for internal complaint processes Word (124 KB) Why have an internal complaint process? Addressing employee complaints about discrimination and harassment quickly and fairly is good for business because it can: identify ways to improve workplace practices and policies improve staff morale,… -
14 December 2012Book page
20 Years on: The Challenges Continue - Chapter 4
Almost one in three targets of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces in the last five years formally reported it either to employers or to external agencies, the majority reporting it to their manager, supervisor or employer. Very few targets reported the sexual harassment to external agencies. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Women's legal service exemption decision
As required by section 57 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission hereby gives notice of a decision made on 3 September 1996 with respect to the following matter: -
Race Discrimination14 December 2012Publication
Guide to the Racial Hatred Act
The Racial Hatred Act, introduced in October 1995, extends the coverage of the RDA so that people can complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission about racially offensive or abusive behaviour. It aims to strike a balance between two valued rights: the right to communicate freely and the right to live free from vilification. -
Race Discrimination7 February 2017Opinion piece
The AHRC and the Racial Discrimination Act: setting the record straight
Federal racial hatred legislation and the complaints-handling processes of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) are currently the subjects of an inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. The Committee’s ‘Freedom of speech in Australia’ inquiry, due to report by 28 February 2017, is giving particular attention to sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination…