Anti-discrimination rights
Part of the Rights topic
The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (the Act) makes discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation unlawful in Queensland.
On this page
What you should know
The Act outlines:
- personal attributes that are protected from discrimination
- areas of public life where discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation is unlawful.
Not all treatment that seems unfair is unlawful discrimination. It's only unlawful discrimination if it is:
- direct or indirect discrimination
- based on a personal attribute listed in the Act
- taking place in an area of public life prescribed by the Act.
What is protected from discrimination
The Act prohibits discrimination based on:
- age
- breastfeeding
- family responsibilities
- gender identity
- disability or impairment
- parental status
- political belief or activity
- pregnancy
- race
- relationship status
- religious belief or religious activity
- sex
- sex characteristics
- sex work activity
- sexuality
- trade union activity
- connection to someone identified by any of these characteristics.
Where discrimination is unlawful
Discrimination based on the characteristics above is unlawful in these areas of public life:
- work (including applying for a job or doing work experience)
- education
- providing goods and services
- accommodation
- buying and selling land
- club memberships and activities
- superannuation or insurance
- administration of state laws and programs
- local government (between members).
Other illegal behaviours
The Act also prohibits:
- sexual harassment
- victimisation
- vilification.
Exemptions
Some kinds of discrimination are lawful under the Act.
Learn more about exemptions under discrimination law.