About the Commission - Annual Report 2013-14

Our vision

Human rights: everyone, everywhere, everyday

Our role

The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is to see that human rights and fundamental freedoms are understood and respected in law, policy and practice. The Commission is independent from government, with a legislative mandate, and recognised internationally as an ‘A status’ national human rights institution. We strive to resolve complaints, encourage positive law reform and build a shared awareness and recognition of freedoms and rights throughout Australia.

We operate under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth), as well as federal laws that seek to ensure freedom from discrimination on the basis of attributes such as age, disability, race, sex, sexuality and gender identity. The Commission also has specific responsibilities under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Our job is to work towards an Australia in which human rights are respected, protected and promoted: finding practical solutions to issues of concern; advocating for systemic change; and raising awareness across the community.

Much of this work takes place at the policy level, by engaging with the public and the media, and encouraging government, industry and community groups alike to see fundamental rights and freedoms realised. It involves building the case for change on issues such as addressing age discrimination and pregnancy-related discrimination in employment. It involves providing a human rights analysis to the courts and to parliamentary inquiries, conducting research and contributing to partnerships. Our work also involves exchanging ideas with equivalent bodies around the world; while, closer to home, we monitor and report on the experiences of those who are particularly vulnerable to disadvantage.

From addressing individual complaints of discrimination to engaging with government on policy issues, the Commission’s task is both to apply those rights that are currently recognised in our laws and to aspire for greater recognition and protection of those that are not.

Our vision is for an Australia where human rights are enjoyed by everyone, everywhere, everyday.

Outcome structure

The Commission has one outcome on which it is bound to report: an Australian society in which the human rights of all are respected, protected and promoted.

There is one output for the Commission’s outcome: that Australians have access to independent human rights complaint handling and public inquiries processes, and benefit from human rights education, promotion and monitoring, and compliance activities.

Our work

There is no simple way to solve complex human rights issues. The promotion of human rights must address the immediate issues facing individuals, as well as the need for broader, systemic change. That is why the Commission uses a range of integrated approaches, while also focusing on particular areas of discrimination through our specialised Commissioners.

The Commission’s major activities and programs for 2013-14 are organised according to the following five themes and two priorities.

Five themes: Setting and advancing national agencies, Building human rights into law and practice, Working in the international arena to improve human rights, Monitoring and reporting, Resolving discrimination and human rights complaints.

Two priorities: Building understanding and respect for rights in our community, Tackling violence, harassment and bullying in our community.

Organisational structure

The Commission is a national independent statutory body established under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth).