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Social media postings can be against the law if they discriminate against, harass, bully or racially vilify a person. Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another person because of a particular attribute they have. Harassment or bullying can amount to discrimination in some circumstances. Inappropriate posts, comments or content shared on social media can…

Special measures aim to foster greater equality by supporting groups of people who face, or have faced, entrenched discrimination so they can have similar access to opportunities as others in the community. Special measures are sometimes described as acts of ‘positive discrimination’ or ‘affirmative action’. They are allowed under federal anti-discrimination laws. The Sex Discrimination Act…

Employers will sometimes set rules regarding the appearance of their employees in the workplace. However, it is important to ensure that any proposed rules that affect people with tattoos do not amount to discrimination. Discrimination is against the law when people are treated unfairly because of a personal attribute that is protected by law, including race, sex and gender identity

It can be discrimination when a person does not experience equal opportunity in employment because of his or her activity in a trade union. This includes being refused a job or dismissed from a job, being refused a promotion, transfer or other benefit associated with employment, given unfair terms or conditions of employment, being refused training opportunities, being refused flexible work …

Every organisation aims to recruit the best person for the job. That’s why it is important to be able to select from the widest possible range of applicants. Recruitment processes that are discriminatory reduce an employer’s opportunity to find the best person for the job. Employers who are recruiting staff should be aware of their responsibilities under federal anti-discrimination laws…

Discrimination in employment on the basis of religion occurs when someone does not experience equality of opportunity in employment because of their religion. This may include being refused a job, being dismissed from employment, being denied training opportunities or being harassed at work. Discrimination on the basis of religion alone is not unlawful under federal anti-discrimination law …

Sex discrimination explained: unequal treatment based on sex, legal protections, and employer obligations.

The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. Sexual orientation discrimination happens when a person is treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation because he or she has a sexual orientation towards persons of the same sex; persons of a different sex; or persons of…

It is against the law to discriminate against a woman because she is pregnant or might become pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination happens when a woman is treated less favourably than another person because she is pregnant or because she may become pregnant. It is also discrimination when there is an unreasonable requirement or practice that is the same for everyone but has an unfair effect on…

Asking applicants certain questions in a job interview may disadvantage some people and could amount to discrimination. Employers are required by law to avoid discrimination when recruiting staff. Employers should not seek unnecessary and potentially discriminatory information from applicants when they develop selection criteria or prepare interview questions. It could be discrimination if …

A quick guide to racial discrimination, legal protection, and special measures to promote racial equality. Promote diversity and prevent discrimination in your workplace.

Employers have a legal responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent racial discrimination. Find out more in this quick guide.

Some people with disabilities may face barriers at work because of some feature of their work situation which could readily be altered. Making these changes is commonly referred to as ‘reasonable adjustments’. Employers can be required by law to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace. Failure to do so may be discrimination. Adjustments should respond to the particular needs of the…

An employer may be obliged to conduct a police check where there is a legal requirement that an employee or job applicant should not have a certain criminal record. However, an employer should only ask job applicants and employees to disclose criminal record information if certain criminal convictions or offences are relevant to the inherent requirements of the job. Asking an applicant or…

The type of policies your organisation should put in place will depend on the needs and circumstances of your particular workplace. Some organisations choose to have a single workplace policy which prohibits discrimination, bullying, and harassment on a range of grounds, including a person’s sex, race, disability, age or sexual orientation. Others may decide there is a need for an additional…

It can be discrimination when a person does not experience equal opportunity in employment because of his or her political opinion. This may include being refused a job, being dismissed from employment, being denied training opportunities or being harassed at work. The Commission may investigate complaints of discrimination in employment based on political opinion and, where appropriate, try…

Understanding Positive Discrimination, legal measures promoting equality. Learn about special measures to promote equality based on age, sex, race or disability.

The Australian Human Rights Commission provides a quick guide to Australian discrimination laws, covering federal and state/territory legislation.

In some circumstances, employers can require employees and potential employees to meet the physical requirements of a job. However, physical requirements can amount to unlawful discrimination in some circumstances. Discrimination could be against the law if it is linked to a protected attribute, such as a person’s race, age, sex or disability, and the requirement is not reasonable. Example:…

Get a quick guide on various human rights topics, offering concise and informative overviews.