Anti-discrimination and equal opportunity

Discrimination is any practice that makes distinctions between individuals or groups to disadvantage some and advantage others. People can also be indirectly discriminated against if certain attributes, such as parental status, religion, race or impairment, make them less able or even unable to participate in an activity.

The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (the Act) outlines areas where discrimination is prohibited in Queensland. The Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) resolves complaints of discrimination and other contraventions of the Act, and promotes human rights in Queensland.

Under Queensland's anti-discrimination laws, employers must offer equal employment opportunities (EEO). This means people are treated on their merits at every stage of their employment – from the recruitment and interview process through to their daily duties, promotion, training and development opportunities, and their resignation, retrenchment or redundancy.

The QHRC provides information on a range of types of unfair treatment, including:

  • age discrimination
  • COVID-19 and human rights
  • human rights
  • gender issues
  • impairment discrimination
  • pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • racial and religious discrimination
  • sex discrimination
  • sexual harassment
  • sexuality discrimination.

If you feel you have been discriminated against, you can make a complaint to the QHRC.

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