Racial Discrimination Act

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 protects individuals across Australia from discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. In 1995 the Act was extended to make racial vilification against the law.

The Act gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

 Under the RDA, it is against the law for people to discriminate against you in:

employment, such as getting a job or applying for a promotion (section 15)

education, whether at school, university, TAFE or other colleges

access to premises such as shops, libraries or hospitals and other buildings used by the public (section 11),

buying goods and using services, such as being served in a restaurant or using taxis, banks and legal services (section 13)

accommodation, such as renting a unit or house or buying and selling land (section 12)

activities of clubs or associations, such as joining a sports club or RSL

Commonwealth Government laws and programs, such as voting and information in accessible formats

playing sport, including when enrolling, competing or access to mainstream competitions.

joining a union (section 14)

The RDA also includes:

scope for individuals to make a complaint to be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission

Race Discrimination Commissioner

‘special measures’

A plain guide to the Racial Discrimination Act is available through the Australian Human Rights Commission website.