Australian Human Rights Commission

Australian Human Rights Commission For a free and equal Australia.

Official Australian Human Rights Commission page: news and events from Australia's human rights watchdog and we welcome discussions on human rights topics. Check out our webpage at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au
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Every young person in Australia should be safe and free to be themselves, yet many LGBTQIA+ young people still face disc...
25/08/2026

Every young person in Australia should be safe and free to be themselves, yet many LGBTQIA+ young people still face discrimination, exclusion and barriers to belonging. Today we wear purple and stand up for inclusion so every young person can thrive.

This year's Wear It Purple Day theme is Colours of Courage, celebrating the many different forms of courage shown by LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities every day.

In an opinion piece published today in the HR Leader, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman addresses wo...
20/08/2026

In an opinion piece published today in the HR Leader, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman addresses workplace racism and the Commission's 'Change the system. Change the story' campaign.

'To every person who leads a workplace or a team: Don’t wait for a complaint to land on your desk. Assume racism may be a risk in your workplace, treat it as the safety issue it is and focus on preventing harm from occurring in the first place. Listen to people’s experiences and look honestly at your processes and your culture. To everyone else: Don’t be silent. Be active in learning about and preventing harm in the workplace.'

Read the full piece https://loom.ly/5ik7Nzk

20/08/2026

To mark our 40th anniversary as Australia's national human rights institution, we're pleased to release a video and stories highlighting the Commission’s work and impact over the last 40 years in relation to technology and human rights.

The video explores our groundbreaking Human Rights and Technology Final Report from 2021 which established a clear foundation for Australia’s approach to AI and emerging technologies. It has subsequently shaped how governments, regulators and industry understand the role of human rights in the digital age. The video features our Human Rights Commissioner at the time Ed Santow and was produced in 2021 to promote the launch of the report.

The stories highlight a selection of other work the Commission has undertaken in relation to technology and human rights over the last 4 decades such as: setting the human rights agenda for neurotechnology; safeguarding universal access to the internet; and protecting the digital rights of children.

Watch the full video and read the stories here: https://loom.ly/ArC7biM

In an opinion piece for The Canberra Times, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess argues that air trave...
14/08/2026

In an opinion piece for The Canberra Times, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess argues that air travel doesn't have to be undignified. Drawing on her own experience as a wheelchair user who travels frequently for work, she reflects on the barriers and loss of autonomy that too many people with disability continue to face every time they fly.

'Every step of a journey – from check in to disembarking – contains barriers, microaggressions. Moments when my dignity becomes negotiable,' she writes.

'This logic - that an airline's business model outweighs the rights of disabled passengers - has left too many of us stranded.'

With the Australian Government consulting on new Aviation Disability Standards, Commissioner Kayess says Australia has a rare opportunity to build an aviation system that is safer, fairer and designed with accessibility front of mind.

Read more: https://loom.ly/Bu6jE1A

Age diverse workplaces are good for business, no matter what the size. Creating workplaces free from age discrimination ...
14/08/2026

Age diverse workplaces are good for business, no matter what the size. Creating workplaces free from age discrimination and bias, benefits workers and employers, improves productivity and strengthens the broader economy.

We're pleased to partner with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) to help small businesses create more age-inclusive workplaces across Australia. The initiative will provide practical resources, education, research and guidance to help business owners better understand their obligations and unlock the benefits of an age-diverse workforce.

‘Ageism limits opportunity for workers at all career stages,’ said Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.

‘By focusing on capability, experience and inclusion, small businesses can attract and retain talent while helping tackle workforce shortages, whilst improving the bottom line.’

‘This initiative gives small businesses the tools to move beyond stereotypes and focus on capability so they reap the rewards of an age-diverse workforce.’

Read the full statement on our website https://loom.ly/IZMxXuI

In August 1963, two bark petitions were presented to the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives. These histori...
13/08/2026

In August 1963, two bark petitions were presented to the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives. These historic petitions, created by Yolŋu leaders of north-east Arnhem Land, were the first traditional Indigenous documents recognised by the Australian Parliament and marked the beginning of the modern land rights movement in Australia.

The leadership of Mungurrawuy Yunupiŋu and his son, Dr Yunupingu, formed part of a long and unbroken movement for land justice and self-determination, from the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Barunga Statement and beyond.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said the petitions demonstrate that First Peoples have long advocated for recognition of their rights, laws and sovereignty.

'The Yirrkala Bark Petitions show that calls for self-determination, recognition and agreement-making are not new. For generations, First Peoples have fought for recognition of our laws, our rights and our enduring connection to Country.

'The petitions are part of a long legacy of advocacy that continues through milestones such as the Barunga Statement and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Together, they reflect the enduring calls of First Peoples for Voice, Treaty and Truth.

'The Uluru Statement from the Heart remains a powerful roadmap for the future. We need meaningful structures that enable First Peoples to contribute to decisions that affect us, alongside truth-telling and agreement-making. This remains unfinished business for Australia,' said Commissioner Kiss.

Find out more about the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: https://loom.ly/0C2W5ow

📷: Northern Lands Council (NLC) Chairman Silas Roberts (left) and Gumatj leader and NLC Manager, Galarrwuy Yunupingu with two Yirrkala bark petitions. Image courtesy AIATSIS and Yirrkala community.

13/08/2026

Supporting employers to take more responsibility for addressing racism in their workplaces is the focus of our new Change the system. Change the story, anti-racism campaign.

We’re providing practical resources, guides and tools to help employers broaden their awareness and understanding of racism and use their influence to change workplace rules and culture. And we've got lots of digital content to help you and your workplace promote the campaign.

The campaign is informed by impacted communities’ experiences captured in our Seen & Heard project, Racism@Uni study and National Anti-Racism Framework. The campaign is supported by community groups most affected by racism alongside major union, employer and civil society peak bodies.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman: ‘Every person in Australia has the right to feel safe and respected at work, whatever their race, religion or identity. People told us again and again that racism at work is systemic. It lives in the rules, the systems and the inaction of those with the power to change them. This campaign urges leaders to change their systems and, consequently, change the story of how people at work experience respect, dignity and belonging.’

Find out more: https://loom.ly/k1TlOfo

Last night’s Australian Census made history by including questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.It took 115...
12/08/2026

Last night’s Australian Census made history by including questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

It took 115 years to ask meaningful questions about Australia’s LGBTIQA+ community in the Census. This followed a successful discrimination complaint resolution process managed by us, between LGBTIQA+ advocates and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

It’s one of our 40 stories we’ve put together to commemorate our 40-year anniversary as Australia’s national human rights institution. Read more: https://loom.ly/F8qNpDQ

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