Disability Discrimination Legal - Information Pages

HREOC and the Complaints process

The information contained on this page is not legal advice. If you do have a legal problem you should talk to a lawyer before making a decision about what to do. The information on this page is written for people resident in, or affected by, the laws of South Australia, Australia only.

What can I do if someone discriminates against me?

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your disability, you, or someone else on your behalf, can complain to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC). You can get someone else to write down your complaint, or you can ask HREOC to help. The complaint should say what happened, when, where, who was involved, and give the names of anyone else who can say what happened. HREOC can also help you find other support, like an interpreter or advocate.

What happens with my complaint?

HREOC decides if your complaint comes under the Disability Discrimination Act. If it does, the Commission will investigate the complaint. Investigation may include writing to the other people involved to get their side of the story. If the Commission cannot deal with your complaint, they will write to you and explain why.

The Commission will work with both you and the other party to find a solution which everyone can agree with. This is called conciliation. If conciliation does not work, you can decide whether to take it further by taking your complaint to the Federal Court.

Where can I find out more?

If you want more information about the Disability Discrimination Act, you can contact the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission:

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 1042
Complaints Info Line: 1300 656 419 (Local Call)
TTY: 1800 620 241 (Toll Free)
Fax: 02 9284 9611