Publications

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

DIAC Response to the Australian Human Rights Commission report on the use of community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons who have arrived to Australia by boat

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) report on the use of community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons who have arrived to Australia by boat.

Children's Rights

Cyberbullying and the Bystander

In May 2011, the Child Health Promotion Research Centre (CHPRC), in partnership with Primary Communication, were commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission to conduct a study to identify the most effective strategy, messages, content and technology to be used to undertake a social...

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons (2012)

Community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons Observations from visits conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission from December 2011 to May 2012 July 2012 Download Complete report PDF (3.21 MB) Complete report Word (9.0 MB) Contents 1 Summary 2 Recommendations 3...

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

An age of uncertainty - Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children

This report makes disturbing reading. It documents numerous breaches by Australia of both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As a nation that is understandably anxious that the rights of our own children should be respected when...

Disability Rights

Know your rights: Disability discrimination

Learn about your rights regarding disability discrimination.

Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights: On the record

Over recent years, the Commission has received a significant number of complaints from people alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record. The complaints indicate that there is a great deal of misunderstanding by employers and people with criminal records about...

Commission – General

Know your rights: About us

The Australian Human Rights Commission is the nation’s independent human rights body. We work to find practical and long-term solutions to the human rights issues facing people in Australia, as well as to build greater understanding and respect for human rights in our community.

Legal

DA v Commonwealth of Australia (Department Federal Police)

2012 DA v Commonwealth of Australia (Department Federal Police) Report into discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record [2012] AusHRC 59

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Social Justice Reports Index

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner is required to report annually to the Attorney-General regarding the exercise and enjoyment of human rights by Australia's Indigenous peoples. This provision also allows the Commissioner to make recommendations as to action that...

Age Discrimination

The Road So Far – the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)

This paper replaces the previous Commission paper - ‘Roadmap to the Age Discrimination Act’. It includes an update on subsequent changes made to the Act. The paper will also look at the ways in which the Act is used by members of the public in exercising their rights, specifically in relation to...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native Title Report 2011

I am pleased to present to you the Native Title Report 2011 (the Report), which I have prepared in accordance with section 209 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Social Justice Report 2011

I am pleased to present to you the Social Justice Report 2011 (the Report), which I have prepared in accordance with section 46C(1)(a) of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act).

Commission – General

Strategic Plan 2011-2014

Every three years we are required under our legislation to prepare a new Strategic Plan. We treat this as an opportunity to reflect on our effectiveness in undertaking our functions and duties, and to identify how we can ensure that our future work will result in tangible improvements in human...