Discrimination and human rights

Contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) if you wish to enquire about or make a complaint about:

• discrimination;
• sexual harassment;
• victimisation;
• racial vilification;
• religious vilification.

You can phone the VEOHRC (1300 292 153) or live chat to someone via the VEOHRC’s website. These services are available from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Complaints can be lodged through the VEOHRC’s website.

The VEOHRC has also published a Victorian discrimination law resource, Victorian Discrimination Law, that explains the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (‘Equal Opportunity Act‘) and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic) in detail and considers relevant case law.

Under the Equal Opportunity Act, you can choose to:

• take your complaint to the VEOHRC for dispute resolution; or
• apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for dispute resolution and to have your complaint heard in a public hearing.

Applications to VCAT can be lodged on VCAT’s website.

Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) if you wish to enquire about or make a complaint about:

• racial dis­crimination;
• disability dis­crimination;
• age dis­crimination;
• sex dis­crimination

under the Commonwealth Acts (see ‘Legislation related to discrimination and human rights‘).

Complaints should be made in writing. A complaint form is available on the AHRC’s website.

The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide inform­ation about options to pursue matters of employment discrimination action under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

A translating and interpreting service is available by phoning 13 14 50.