Recommendation 126

Australia has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws at federal, state and territory level that are the subject of ongoing review and public debate. The Australian Government will continue to focus policy effort on combatting all forms of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex and race. Information on Australian Government anti-discrimination law can be found on the human rights and anti-discrimination page on the Attorney-General’s Department website.
The Australian Human Rights Commission also works to promote human rights, such as the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability or age. Information on the work of the Commission can be found on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) makes discrimination on a range of grounds unlawful, including race, colour, descent and national or ethnic origin. 
The Australian Government supports the National Anti-Racism Strategy and its related public awareness campaign, Racism. It Stops With Me.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Race Discrimination Commissioner since 1986. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting understanding and acceptance of the Act, and developing research and educational programmes to combat racial discrimination. The Commissioner leads the National Anti-Racism Strategy and the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ campaign. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Race discrimination page on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner since 1993.  The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by Part IIA of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986(Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting discussion and awareness of human rights in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Commissioner also undertakes programmes (including research and educational programmes) to promote respect for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to promote the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice page on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

The Australian Government continues to promote and strengthen the rights of Indigenous peoples through a range of policies and programmes. Information on policies and programmes can be found on the Indigenous affairs page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

The rights of Indigenous peoples are also protected through United Nations treaties to which Australia is a party. Australia supports of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia is active in promoting the rights of Indigenous peoples internationally in United Nations fora.
For information on state and territory anti-discrimination laws, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – ACT Human Rights Commission
• Northern Territory – NT Anti-Discrimination Commission
• New South Wales – Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW
• Queensland – Queensland Government and Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
• South Australia –  Equal Opportunity Commission SA
• Tasmania – Equal Opportunity Tasmania
• Victoria – Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Western Australia – Equal Opportunity Commission

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support,
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage