Australia
Graphic: Public participating in an event hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission

GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia
P: +61 2 9284 9600
F: +61 2 9284 9611
E: communications@humanrights.gov.au
W: www.humanrights.gov.au
APF membership
1996 (Founding Member)
Establishment
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body established by Australia's federal Parliament under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.
It has four key areas of responsibility:
- Human rights education and public awareness
- Resolving complaints of discrimination and human rights violations
- Promoting human rights compliance
- Contributing to policy and legislative development.
Role and functions
The Commission is responsible for inquiring into alleged infringements under the following federal laws:
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975
- Sex Discrimination Act 1984
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Age Discrimination Act 2004
- Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.
It also has functions to foster public discussion; undertake and coordinate research and educational programs; conduct national inquiries on human rights and issues of major importance; review, propose or advise on legislation relating to human rights and to monitor its implementation; and make recommendations to government on policies and proposals related to human rights and discrimination issues.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner has a specific function to monitor the human rights situation and issues facing Indigenous Australians.
Members
Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM
President
June Oscar
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Megan Mitchell
National Children's Commissioner
Dr Kay Patterson
Age Discrimination Commissioner
Kate Jenkins
Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Dr Ben Gauntlett
Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Chin Tan
Race Discrimination Commissioner
Ed Santow
Human Rights Commissioner
Image credits
- Public participating in an event hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission - Australian Human Rights Commission