The Commission has responsibilities under three laws:
- The Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (EOA) - (The Act is currently being reviewed, click here for more information)
- The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (RRTA)
- The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (The Charter)
These laws protect your rights by making discrimination, sexual harassment and religious vilification against the law. The Charter is a law that means government and public bodies must consider human rights when making laws and providing services.
Under the EOA and RRTA, the Commission helps people resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment and religious vilification by offering a confidential, free and impartial complaint resolution service with the aim of achieving a mutual agreement.
Under the Charter, the Commission’s role is to ensure Victorian’s understand the Charter and to talk to government and public bodies in Victoria about their obligations under the Charter.
The Commission not handle complaints related to the Charter.
Commission services
Services provided by the Commission include:
- a free telephone Advice Line
- a timely, impartial and no-cost complaint handling process for people who may have experienced discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment or racial or religious vilification information and education about equal opportunity, racial and religious vilification and the Charter
- education, training and consultancy services
The Commission is an independent statutory body that reports to the Victorian Parliament through the State Attorney-General.
Related links
- Our Strategic Plan and Reports
- Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission Whistleblowers Policy Manual
