Age discrimination
The Age Discrimination Act 2004 makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age in a number of areas of public activity, including work, accommodation, education, access to goods, facilities, services and premises, requests for information and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs.
The Age Discrimination Act helps to promote positive attitudes about the contributions that both younger and older people make to society. The Act also allows benefits and other assistance to be given to people of a certain age in recognition of their individual circumstances.
Parliament passed the Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Act 2011 in June. The Act amends the Age Discrimination Act 2004 to introduce a new, dedicated Age Discrimination Commissioner in the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Age Discrimination Commissioner
The Hon Susan Ryan AO was appointed as Australia’s first stand alone Age Discrimination Commissioner in July 2011.
The Commissioner will address age discrimination by educating the community about discrimination and combating the attitudes and stereotypes which can contribute to discrimination on the basis of age. The Commissioner will engage with government, employers, industry and the community.
Complaints of age discrimination
The Department does not handle complaints of age discrimination. If you have a discrimination complaint, contact the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Street address:
Level 3, 175 Pitt Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Postal address:
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Complaints Infoline: 1300 656 419
TTY: 1800 620 241
Fax: (02) 9284 9611
The Commission can also provide more information about the Age Discrimination Act.
International obligations
The Political Declaration adopted in Madrid, Spain on 12 April 2002 by the Second World Assembly on Ageing reflects the international commitment to eliminate age discrimination. The declaration covered three main priority directions. These directions included older persons and development, advancing health and well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.
Reflecting this commitment, the Age Discrimination Act aims to respond to demographic change by removing barriers to older people participating in society, particularly in the workforce, and changing negative stereotypes about older people.