What can I complain about?
HREOC can investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying based on a person’s:
- sex, including pregnancy, marital status, family responsibilities and sexual harassment
- disability, including temporary and permanent disabilities; physical, intellectual, sensory, psychiatric disabilities, diseases or illnesses; medical conditions; work related injuries; past, present and future disabilities; and association with a person with a disability
- race, including colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, immigrant status and racial hatred
- age, covering young people and older people
- sexual preference, criminal record, trade union activity, political opinion, religion or social origin (in employment only)
It is against the law to be discriminated against in many areas of public life, including employment, education, the provision of goods, services and facilities, accommodation, sport and the administration of Commonwealth laws and
HREOC can also investigate complaints about alleged breaches of human rights against the Commonwealth and its agencies.
How are complaints resolved?
Complaints to HREOC are resolved through a process known as conciliation. This is where the people involved in a complaint talk through the issues with the help of someone impartial and settle the matter on their own terms.
Conciliation is a very successful way of resolving complaints. Feedback shows that most people find our process fair, informal and easy to understand. It also helps them to better understand the issues and come up with solutions that are appropriate to their circumstances.
Complaint outcomes can include an apology, reinstatement to a job, compensation for lost wages, changes to a policy or developing and promoting anti-discrimination policies.
Find out more:
- Conciliation – how it works – information about our approach to resolving complaints
- Pathways to Resolution – order a DVD guide to HREOC’s conciliation process
- Conciliation register – summaries of selected conciliated complaints
- Complaint statistics – an overview of complaint outcomes since 1999
- Charter
of Services –
our commitment to provide a prompt, clear and fair
service
How do I make a complaint?
Complaints must be made in
writing or by email. You can download a complaint form (PDF) or (Word) or complete the online complaint
form. Go to
the Lodge a
complaint page for more details.
A complaint can
be made in any language. We have information about making a complaint in other
languages.
HREOC can arrange an interpreter in
your language or a sign language interpreter, if required. We can also help you
write out your complaint if you need
assistance.
Contact us
For more information or to discuss a
complaint contact our Complaints
Phone: 1300 656 419 (local
call) or 02 9284 9888
Email: complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au
TTY: 1800
620 241 (toll free)
Fax: 02 9284
9611
Free interpretation and translation
services are available by contacting 13 14 50 and asking for the Human
Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission.
