Your rights

In Queensland, there are two main pieces of legislation which help protect your rights. They are the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, and the Human Rights Act 2019.

The Anti-Discrimination Act protects people in Queensland from discrimination based on attributes or characteristics listed in the Act, including race, age, and sex. It outlines the areas where discrimination is unlawful – like at work, at school or university – and also prohibits other behaviours including vilification and sexual harassment. Complaints about matters under the Anti-Discrimination Act can be made to us at the Commission.

The Human Rights Act protects 23 human rights for every person in Queensland. It requires laws to be made and interpreted in a way that is compatible with the rights protected under the Act. It also obligates the public sector to make decisions and act in a way that is compatible with these rights. Complaints under the Human Rights Act may be made to us at the Commission. Complaints can only be made about a public entity, and only about actions or decisions which occurred after 1 January 2020.