Projects

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

National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention - Index

National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014. Hearing transcripts, submissions and expert reports now available.

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Religion and Belief

Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right protected by a number of international treaties and declarations, including article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This right encompasses freedom of thought on all matters and the freedom to...

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Refugees with adverse security assessments

Refugees with adverse security assessments face indefinite detention.

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.

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

Right to freedom of information, opinion and expression

This page provides access to a range of Commission work regarding the right to freedom of information, opinion and expression.

LGBTIQ+

New protection

Learn about new protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.

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...

Age Discrimination

Fact or fiction? Stereotypes of older Australians

Explore a fact sheet that outlines the discriminatory attitudes and behaviours older people can experience in the workplace and the community.

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...

Supporting participation in key international forums

The Commission welcomes proposals for funding to support the participation of people with disability and organisations representing people with disability to attend key international forums on human rights

Rights and Freedoms

Counter-terrorism and human rights

Since the events in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Australian Government has introduced more than 40 new counter-terrorism laws. Amongst other things, these laws have created: