Discrimination and human rights is a complex area. Separate Commonwealth and state legislation sets out people’s rights and duties, and government agencies administer the law that protects people’s human rights and work rights in Victoria.

Contributors

Melissa De Abreu

Senior Lawyer, Australian Human Rights Commission

Gabrielle Watson-Munro

Senior Legal Advisor, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Making a complaint about discrimination

Last updated

1 July 2022

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

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.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Under the Equal Opportunity Act, you can choose to:

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

Australian Human Rights Commission

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.

Fair Work Ombudsman

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.

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