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Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Inherent Requirements
Discrimination in employment because of a person’s age or disability is against the law in many circumstances. However, it may not be unlawful to refuse to employ a person if, because of their age or disability, they are unable to carry out the inherent requirements – or essential duties – of the job. The inherent requirements of a job will vary depending on what the job is. They may include… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Harassment
Harassment can be against the law when a person is treated less favourably on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, breastfeeding, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. Some limited exemptions and exceptions apply. Harassment can include behaviour such as: telling insulting jokes about particular racial… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Disability Discrimination in the workplace
Explore the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guide to disability discrimination laws, covering protections, reasonable adjustments, and positive discrimination. -
Employers17 February 2015Quick Guide
Dating in the Workplace
It is common for relationships and attractions to develop in the workplace. As an employer, it is important to ensure that these circumstances do not lead to incidents of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour where a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It… -
17 February 2015Book page
Conclusion
This report affirms the need to stay the course with the Closing the Gap Strategy and to be patient for improvements sought to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life expectancy – progress which many indicators suggest will be seen in time. It should not be forgotten that the Closing the Gap Strategy commenced in July 2009 and that intergenerational change cannot be expected in… -
Employers13 February 2015Quick Guide
Complaints made to the Australian Human Rights Commission
A complaint of discrimination or harassment can be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission about an issue covered by federal anti-discrimination law. Under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act, the Commission can also investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying in employment based on a person’s criminal record, trade union activity, political… -
12 June 2013Webpage
Submission on Anti-Genocide Bill 1999
Submission by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee Inquiry into the Anti-Genocide Bill 1999 (February 2000) Submission covers The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and its previous discussions of genocide. The background and coverage of the Genocide Convention. Defining Genocide and the Commission’s -
Rights and Freedoms
11 June 2013WebpageAustralia's 1st National Human Rights Action Plan (1994)
In 1994 Australia was the first nation in the world to provide a National Action Plan on Human Rights. This Plan is now difficult to find on Australian Government or United Nations sites and so it is attached here in MS Word and PDF formats for convenient access together with a 1995 update. Australia: Initial Human Rights Action Plan (Word) or PDF 1995 update (Word) or PDF -
27 January 2015Book page
2 Introduction
2.1 What is Workplace Diversity? The term diversity refers to what makes us different. It covers gender, age, language, disability, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation and religious belief. Diversity also refers to our many other differences in education, work experience, occupation, socio-economic background, marital status and whether or not we have family and carer -
Rights and Freedoms
16 May 2013Webpage
Commission reports raising ICCPR Article 7 issues
No. 46: Yousefi family v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) (2011)Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; detention disproportionate to Commonwealth’s objectives; best interests of child and right to care and protection; access to health care and educationHuman rights considered: ICCPR Articles 7, 9, 10; CRC Articles 3.1, 3.2, 24.1, 28.1, 37(a), 37(c) No. 35… -
Commission – General
3 May 2013WebpageRightsTalk: Jeremy Fernandez biography
Learn about Jeremy Fernandez, who is a journalist and presenter with ABC News. He joined the network's Sydney bureau in 2009 after returning from London. -
Education6 September 2018Publication
1981-86 Human Rights Commission education resources
Resources linked here have been added to this site for historical and archival purposes and should not be assumed to represent the views of the current Commission. -
Legal
18 November 2014SubmissionInquiry into the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014
Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 Submission by the Australian Human Rights Commission 28 October 2014 Download PDF Download Word -
Sex Discrimination
30 August 2018Media ReleaseCommissioner appears before CEDAW Committee at the UN
Tuesday, 20 July 2010 The Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, has appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in New York this week. Enshrined within the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are the key principles of equality and an agenda for national… -
12 February 2013Book page
4 Key national priorities, initiatives, and commitments
The role of national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting human rights at the national level is well recognised, as is their contribution to the international human rights system. [70] The international community has highlighted the need for the Australian Government to strengthen the Australian Human Rights Commission and for the necessary funding to be provided in order… -
30 January 2013Webpage
Literature Award
Literature Award Finalists The Literature Award is awarded for a non-fiction work published in Australia. Examples could include books focussed on social history, social commentary, biography or human rights. The finalists for 2014 are: Nicholas Clements, The Black War: Fear, Sex and Resistance in Tasmania (University of Queensland Press) Kate Richards, Is There No Place for Me?: Making… -
30 January 2013Webpage
Business Award (sponsored by Audrey Page & Associates)
Business Award Finalists The Business Award is awarded to a corporation that has made a practical and/or policy commitment to the promotion and advancement of human rights in the Australian community. The finalists for 2014 are: KPMG For its Reconciliation Action Plan, which fosters equal access to employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and provides support… -
29 January 2013Book page
Transmittal Letter
21 October 2011The Hon Robert McClelland MPAttorney-GeneralCentral Office3-5 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 Dear Attorney, Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force – Phase 1 I am pleased to present to you the Commission’s report of the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy. This Report represents the first stage of a broader… -
29 January 2013Webpage
Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force Academy
Phase 1 of the Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force Downloads Download PDF Download Word -
Legal
11 February 2016Submission
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Proceeds of Crime and Other Measures) Bill 2015
Review the submission on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Proceeds of Crime and Other Measures) Bill 2015.