Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the primary international legal instrument on the rights of people with disability.  

Australia became a signatory to the CRPD in 2007 and ratified it in 2008. 

 The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention by the States parties.  The Committee meets twice a year in Geneva.  

In addition to examining country reports and expressing its concerns and recommendations in the form of Concluding Observations, the Committee receives and considers individual complaints with regard to alleged violations of the Convention by States parties to the Optional Protocol to the CRPD.  

Australia’s initial report under the CRPD is due on 16 August 2010, and will be prepared by the Attorney-General’s Department in consultation with Commonwealth agencies, and State and Territory Governments, as well as civil society and non-government organisations.   

Main Provisions of the CRPD

Some of the rights and obligations contained in the Convention which are of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples include:

•                equality and non-discrimination;

•                the right to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life;

•                equality before the law;

•                access to information;

•                civil and political rights, such as:

•                the right to vote;

•                the right to marriage;

•                access to justice;

•                freedom of thought and religion;

•                freedom of opinion and expression;

•                economic, social and cultural rights, such as

•                the right to work and to enjoy just and favourable conditions of work;

•                the right to health;

•                the right to housing;

•                the right to education;

•                the right to participate in cultural activities.

Individual Complaints Mechanism

Any individual who claims that her or his rights have under the CRPD have been violated may make an individual complaint to the Committee.  Australia recognises the competence of the Committee under the Optional Protocol to receive and consider complaints from individuals or groups within its jurisdiction.

Get Active

To find more about the disability discrimination in general and in Australia please visit the 'Disability' section of our website.

If you have been discriminated against, please visit the Make a Complaint section of our website to find more information on where you can also make a complaint.

Related Links

Click here for a copy of the CRPD

Click here for a copy of the Optional Protocol to CRPD

Click here for further information about the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities