Rights and Freedoms
Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights
What makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? What are we doing well and what steps do we still need to take?
Projects
Rights and Freedoms
Disability Rights
Assistance animals and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
It ’s widely recognised that some people with disability require support services and assistive technology to facilitate their active participation in public life and for personal activities. The types of support that can be provided can come from a range of sources, including by trained and skilled...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Native Title
Native title is a property right which reflects a relationship to land which is the very foundation of Indigenous religion, culture and well-being. The non-discriminatory protection of native title is a recognised human right.
Race Discrimination
Racial discrimination? Know your rights
The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) was a landmark in Australian race relations. It was a legislative expression of a new commitment to multiculturalism and it reflected the ratification by Australia of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination . To...
Sex Discrimination
International Cooperation on Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence
Women’s rights and addressing domestic violence feature prominently in the Commission’s international cooperation work. The China-Australia Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program has been in operation since 1998 and is part of the formal human rights dialogue between the two countries. Under...
Race Discrimination
Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool
The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a free online tool to help businesses enhance productivity through a culturally diverse workplace. Based on international best practice, the Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool is a ‘how to’ guide to workplace cultural diversity. Why should we focus...
LGBTIQ+
SOGII Rights
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights Final report released 10 June 2015. Read the full report: Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation Gender Identity & Intersex Rights 2015 Former Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson, conducted consultations to explore key rights issues...
Children's Rights
Child friendly version of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations
In 2012, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, which monitors how Australia meets its obligations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, issued its Concluding Observations on Australia’s progress. During 2014, the National Children's Commissioner worked with UNICEF...
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries
Learn how the Australian government introduced third-country processing for asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat without a valid visa in 2012.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Refugees with adverse security assessments
Refugees with adverse security assessments face indefinite detention.
Race Discrimination
At a glance: Racial vilification under sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
What does the law say?
Immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
The Commission seeks to ensure that the human rights of all people held in immigration detention in Australia are protected. The Commission has focused its recent immigration detention work on the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and children, because they have specific...
Rights and Freedoms
Human rights and the Internet
The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights
Rights and Freedoms
Rights and freedoms - right by right
As part of the development of our new website we are developing pages on human rights scrutiny by reference to each area of rights and obligations set out in the main human rights treaties which have been developed by the international community and adopted by Australia in the years since the...
Rights and Freedoms
Review of Universal Periodic Review commitments by Australia
What is the UPR and why does it matter | Commitments made at Australia's first UPR appearance | Review of commitments | Comments What is the UPR and why does it matter The Universal Periodic Review is a process undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council. It involves review of the human...
