Human Rights Commission

The prohibited grounds of discrimination are set out in section 21 of the Human Rights Act. They are:

• Age (from age 16 years)
• Colour
• Disability
• Employment Status
• Ethical Belief (lack of religious belief)
• Ethnic or National Origins (includes nationality and citizenship)
• Family Status (having dependents, not having dependents, being married to, or in a civil union or de facto relationship with, a particular person or being a relative of a particular person)
• Marital Status (single, married, in a civil union or a de facto relationship, separated, a party to a marriage or civil union now dissolved, widowed)
• Political Opinion (including having no political opinion)
• Race & Racial Harassment
• Religious Belief
• Sex & Sexual Harassment
• Sexual Orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual)

It is against the law to be discriminated against in many areas of public life, including in work, education, official practice and policy and the provision of goods and services. The Commission can also consider broader human rights issues.

These grounds apply if they currently exist, have existed in the past, are suspected or are assumed to have existed by the person alleged to have discriminated or relate to a relative or associate of a person.

Read Resolving discrimination and harassment (Resolving discrimination and harassment Word 160Kb) for further information on making and responding to a complaint.