Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that belong to all of us. But did you know that Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world without a Human Rights Act?
Our current patchwork laws are failing to protect our fundamental rights, and without a Human Rights Act, there’s almost nothing most Australians can do if they suffer human rights abuse. Because of this, powerful people continue to abuse human rights.
The time to protect human rights is now.
Pensioners are living in their cars, and single parents and their children are couch surfing as house and rental prices skyrocket. People can no longer afford to access healthcare. Bushfires, floods, and droughts wreak havoc on Australians across the country.
With a Human Rights Act, the government would need to respect human rights when making decisions. That includes our right to adequate housing, a healthy environment, education, health, and more.
While Australia does not have a Human Rights Act that would protect everyone, some states and territories have made a start. Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have each passed state Human Rights Acts, protecting certain human rights of people living there. But our patchwork laws mean that not all rights are protected, reinforcing the need for a federal Human Rights Act that protects everyone across the country.

Human rights in the Australian Capital Terrority (ACT)
Since June 2024, people in the ACT could make complaints to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) if they believe that a public authority has not acted consistently with the state’s Human Rights Act.
This has proven to be a much more accessible, affordable and time-effective alternative to taking issues to court. In the Commission’s recent Annual Report, they noted that 89% of people have found the complaints process to be fair.
- “I wasn’t getting anywhere with trying to resolve the issue on my own, my case officer got straight onto it… We had a very quick turnaround and achieved the results required.”
- “My case officer was incredibly kind, impartial and communicative during the process and it made a situation that was incredibly traumatising and challenging very easy to navigate. I felt supported throughout the entire process and their ability to mediate effectively was extraordinary. Their communication was clear and simple, especially at a time I was not able to navigate my own thoughts and I couldn’t recommend the HRC more in providing a supportive environment for someone experiencing injustice or discrimination of any kind.”
How people have used the Human Rights Act in the ACT:
To live somewhere safe
Women’s rights and housing rights: A university student had been subjected to family violence and sought to terminate her occupancy agreement early as she did not feel safe living somewhere her ex-partner knew. For 3 months, the accommodation provider did not respond to the student’s request. They then replied that she did not meet the grounds for early termination.
After being contacted by the Commission, the accommodation provider agreed to refund the entirety of the occupancy fees paid by the student from when she first sought to terminate her occupancy. The provider also undertook a review and changed its policies on how it responds to students reporting family violence.

To live free from violence
Disability rights: A service provider raised concerns about a person with a disability experiencing physical, financial, and emotional abuse by a carer with whom they lived. It was alleged that the carer had full control of the person’s disability support pension. They also allegedly physically assaulted the person and controlled all decisions about the person’s life.
The Commission met with the person with the disability and coordinated services to plan for a safe move to alternative housing. They also supported them to become financially independent with supported decision-making.
Aged care rights:
A man complained to the HRC that he had not been provided with a refund of overpaid fees to an aged care service provider. He explained that he had been paying his sister’s accommodation fees in advance. When she passed away, the aged care service provider did not refund him the overpayment.
After being contacted by the Commission, the aged care service provider arranged for the man to be repaid the fees that were paid in advance for his sister.

By having a Human Rights Act, people in Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory all have a powerful tool to challenge and remedy human rights abuses and injustices. But what about people living in New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory?
These Acts also only apply to state governments. Without a federal Human Rights Act, there’s no requirement for the federal government to respect our human rights, and nothing people can do if the federal government abuses people’s human rights.
It’s time for the rest of the country to step up. Sign the petition calling for a federal Human Rights Act.
What can we do?
The good news is that we’re closer than ever to protecting all our human rights in law. The Labor-led Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has recommended the government legislate a Human Rights Act to protect all our human rights in our federal laws.
Now, we need the Albanese Government to agree to the inquiry’s recommendation and commit to legislating a Human Rights Act.
In the ACT, people can use the Human Rights Act to make a complaint and solve the problems they’re facing. They can use the Act to make their lives better.
Everyone in Australia should be able to do the same. Together, we can create a fairer future, where we can all take action when we suffer human rights abuses. Sign the petition to support a Human Rights Act now.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. But we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about our human rights campaigns.