Recommendation 189

Australia has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws at federal, state and territory level that are the subject of ongoing review and public debate.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) provides that it is unlawful for a person or organisation to discriminate against a person on the basis of disability in a range of areas of public life including employment, education, access to premises and the provision of goods, services and facilities. The Act also protects associates of people with disability from discrimination, and prohibits discrimination against people who have a carer, assistant, assistance animal or disability aid.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner since 1993. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). The Commissioner's functions include protecting the rights of persons with disability in Australia and promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Disability rights page of the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

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