Question : Go to the website https://www.humanrights.gov.

au/our-work/legal/legislationand identify
the purpose of the following Acts – what is covered, who does this apply to and what is
the relevance in a workplace?
a) Age Discrimination Act
b) Disability Discrimination Act
c) Racial Discrimination Act
d) Sex Discrimination Act
e) Australian Human Rights Commission Act

Acts Objective Application

Age Discrimination Act Employing a diverse workforce It is unlawful to discriminate

2004 helps businesses make better against someone on the ground of

decisions more quickly, giving age in respect of the following;

them a significant advantage employment and related matters,

over rivals. As a result, education, access to premises,

businesses that value diversity in provision of services, provision of

the workplace prosper and make accommodation, disposal of land,

more money. administration of commonwealth

laws, request for information on

which age discrimination might be

used.

Disability Discrimination To make sure that everyone in It is unlawful for a person to harass

Act 1992 the community has the same another person who is an employee

rights to equality before the law, of that person and has a disability

as much as is practical. in relation to the disability.

Racial Discrimination Act It shields people against racial It calls for unique actions. The

1975 prejudice in a variety of spheres objective of special measures is to

of public life, including as work, promote more racial equality by

education, obtaining or using providing support to disadvantaged

services, leasing or purchasing a groups so they can access

home or other property, and opportunities on par with other

entering public areas. members of the community.

Sex Discrimination Act Discriminating against someone The purpose of special measures is

1984 because of their sex, gender to promote more equality by

identity, intersex status, sexual providing assistance to groups of

orientation, marriage status, individuals who experience or have

partner status, parental duties, experienced pervasive

pregnancy or potential discrimination so they can have the

pregnancy, or nursing status is same access to opportunities as

prohibited. other members of the community.

Due to sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity, intersex status,

relationship status, pregnancy or

possible pregnancy status, or family

 responsibilities, the SDA provides

for particular measures to ensure

equality of opportunity for people.

The Australian Human The Act articulates the Australian The Australian Human Rights

Rights Commission Act Human Rights Commission role Commission (AHRC) was

1984 and responsibilities. established in 1986 by the

Australian Human Rights

Commission Act. The AHRC looks

into and resolves complaints of

discrimination and human rights

violations, argues to the

government for the incorporation

of human rights in legislation and

policymaking, and offers

recommendations.