The Anti-Discrimination Act protects people from being treated unfairly because of a protected attribute (e.g., race, age, sex) in certain areas of public life (e.g., work, school or university). This is called discrimination. The Anti-Discrimination Act also prohibits other harmful behaviours including vilification, sexual harassment, and victimisation.
There are also anti-discrimination laws at the federal level in Australia. Federal and state laws sometimes overlap. For example, see the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), Race Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth).
Explore the links below to learn more about discrimination and how the Commission can help.
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Anti-discrimination law in Queensland
Discover how to create fair, inclusive, and respectful workplaces while meeting your legal obligations under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. -
What to do if you have experienced discrimination
Find out how to make a complaint about discrimination. -
Exemptions
In rare circumstances discrimination is permitted. Learn more about exemptions. -
Protected attributes
The Act prohibits unfair treatment on the basis of personal characteristics (protected attributes), such as age, sex, race, gender identity, and more. -
Discrimination at work
Find out how discrimination laws apply in the workplace. -
Discrimination in education
Learn about protections against discrimination in schools, universities, and other educational settings. -
Discrimination in goods and services
Understand how discrimination laws apply when accessing goods and services, such as shopping or healthcare. -
Discrimination in accommodation
Find out how the law seeks to protect tenants, landlords, and others from discrimination in accommodation including when renting or staying in short-term accommodation. -
Discrimination in large resource projects
Discover how anti-discrimination laws seek to protect residents of regional towns near large resource projects.