Disability Discrimination Act 1992

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Disability Discrimination Act 1992

- C2006C00092
In force - Superseded Version
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Act No. 135 of 1992 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 86 of 2005 and SLI 2006 No. 50

An Act relating to discrimination on the ground of disability

Administered by: Attorney-General's

Registered	29 Mar 2006

Start Date	27 Mar 2006
End Date	30 Jun 2009

1 Short title [see Note 1]

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

3 Objects

4 Interpretation

5 Disability discrimination

6 Indirect disability discrimination

7 Disability discrimination—palliative and therapeutic devices and auxiliary aids

8 Disability discrimination—interpreters, readers and assistants

9 Disability discrimination—guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals

10 Act done because of disability and for other reason

11 Unjustifiable hardship

12 Application of Act

12A Application of the Criminal Code

13 Operation of State and Territory laws

14 Extent to which Act binds the Crown

Part 2—Prohibition of disability discrimination

Part 3—Action plans

Part 4—Functions of Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Part 5—Other offences

Part 6—Disability Discrimination Commissioner

Part 7—Miscellaneous

TOC

HIDE

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

Act No. 135 of 1992 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 27 March 2006
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 86 of 2005
and SLI 2006 No. 50

The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................. 1

3............ Objects................................................................................................ 1

4............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 2

5............ Disability discrimination.................................................................... 8

6............ Indirect disability discrimination........................................................ 8

7............ Disability discrimination—palliative and therapeutic devices and auxiliary aids 9

8............ Disability discrimination—interpreters, readers and assistants......... 9

9............ Disability discrimination—guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals 10

10.......... Act done because of disability and for other reason......................... 10

11.......... Unjustifiable hardship...................................................................... 10

12.......... Application of Act........................................................................... 11

12A....... Application of the Criminal Code.................................................... 13

13.......... Operation of State and Territory laws............................................. 13

14.......... Extent to which Act binds the Crown.............................................. 14

Part 2—Prohibition of disability discrimination 15

Division 1—Discrimination in work 15

15.......... Discrimination in employment......................................................... 15

16.......... Discrimination against commission agents....................................... 16

17.......... Discrimination against contract workers.......................................... 17

18.......... Partnerships...................................................................................... 18

19.......... Qualifying bodies.............................................................................. 19

20.......... Registered organisations under Schedule 1B to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 19

21.......... Employment agencies....................................................................... 20

Division 2—Discrimination in other areas 21

22.......... Education.......................................................................................... 21

23.......... Access to premises........................................................................... 22

24.......... Goods, services and facilities............................................................ 22

25.......... Accommodation................................................................................ 23

26.......... Land.................................................................................................. 25

27.......... Clubs and incorporated associations................................................ 25

28.......... Sport................................................................................................. 26

29.......... Administration of Commonwealth laws and programs.................... 26

30.......... Requests for information.................................................................. 27

31.......... Disability standards.......................................................................... 27

32.......... Unlawful to contravene disability standards.................................... 29

33.......... Division 5 generally not to apply to disability standards................ 29

34.......... This Part not to apply if person acts in accordance with disability standards 29

Division 3—Discrimination involving harassment 30

35.......... Harassment in employment.............................................................. 30

36.......... Harassment in employment—associates with disabilities............... 31

37.......... Harassment in education................................................................... 32

38.......... Harassment in education—associates with disabilities.................... 32

39.......... Harassment in relation to the provision of goods and services........ 32

40.......... Harassment in relation to the provision of goods and services—associates with disabilities 32

Division 4—Offences 33

41.......... Unlawful act not offence unless expressly so provided................... 33

42.......... Victimisation..................................................................................... 33

43.......... Offence to incite doing of unlawful acts or offences........................ 34

44.......... Advertisements................................................................................. 34

Division 5—Exemptions 35

45.......... Special measures............................................................................... 35

46.......... Superannuation and insurance.......................................................... 35

47.......... Acts done under statutory authority................................................ 36

48.......... Infectious diseases............................................................................ 38

49.......... Exemption for charities..................................................................... 38

50.......... Telecommunications......................................................................... 39

51.......... Pensions and allowances................................................................... 39

52.......... Migration.......................................................................................... 40

53.......... Combat duties and peacekeeping services........................................ 40

54.......... Peacekeeping services by the AFP................................................... 41

55.......... Commission may grant exemptions.................................................. 41

56.......... Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal.................................. 43

57.......... Notice of decisions to be published.................................................. 43

58.......... Effect of exemptions......................................................................... 43

Part 3—Action plans 45

59.......... Interpretation.................................................................................... 45

60.......... Action plans..................................................................................... 45

61.......... Provisions of action plans................................................................ 45

62.......... Action plans may have other provisions.......................................... 46

63.......... Amendment of action plans.............................................................. 46

64.......... Copy of action plan to be given to Commission.............................. 46

65.......... Commission to sell action plans to public........................................ 46

Part 4—Functions of Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 47

Division 1—Preliminary 47

67.......... Functions of Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.. 47

Part 5—Other offences 49

107........ Failure to provide actuarial data or statistical data........................... 49

Part 6—Disability Discrimination Commissioner 50

113........ Disability Discrimination Commissioner......................................... 50

114........ Terms and conditions of appointment............................................. 50

115........ Remuneration of Commissioner....................................................... 50

116........ Leave of absence............................................................................... 50

117........ Outside employment........................................................................ 51

118........ Resignation....................................................................................... 51

119........ Termination of appointment............................................................ 51

120........ Acting Commissioner....................................................................... 51

Part 7—Miscellaneous 53

121........ Delegation......................................................................................... 53

122........ Liability of persons involved in unlawful acts................................. 53

123........ Conduct by directors, servants and agents....................................... 53

124........ Commonwealth taken to be employer.............................................. 55

125........ Unlawful act not basis of civil action unless expressly so provided 55

126........ Protection from civil actions............................................................. 55

127........ Non-disclosure of private information............................................. 56

128........ Information stored otherwise than in written form.......................... 58

129........ Commissioner to give information.................................................... 58

131........ Courts to ensure just terms.............................................................. 58

132........ Regulations....................................................................................... 58

Notes 61

An Act relating to discrimination on the ground of disability

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title [see Note 1]

This Act may be cited as the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

(1) Sections 1 and 2 commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.

(3) If a provision of this Act does not commence under subsection (2) within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it commences on the first day after the end of that period.

3 Objects

The objects of this Act are:

(a) to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the areas of:

(i) work, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport; and

(ii) the provision of goods, facilities, services and land; and

(iii) existing laws; and

(iv) the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs; and

(b) to ensure, as far as practicable, that persons with disabilities have the same rights to equality before the law as the rest of the community; and

(c) to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.

4 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

accommodation includes residential or business accommodation.

administrative office means:

(a) an office established by, or an appointment made under, a law of the Commonwealth; and

(b) an office established by, or an appointment made under, a law of a Territory; and

(c) an appointment made by the Governor-General or a Minister otherwise than under a law of the Commonwealth or of a Territory; and

(d) an appointment as a director of an incorporated company that is a public authority of the Commonwealth;

but does not include:

(e) an office of member of the Assembly, member of the Executive, or Minister within the meaning of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988; or

(f) an office of member of the Legislative Assembly, member of the Council or Minister of the Territory, within the meaning of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978; or

(g) an office of member of the Legislative Assembly within the meaning of the Norfolk Island Act 1979; or

(h) an office or appointment in the Australian Public Service.

associate, in relation to a person, includes:

(a) a spouse of the person; and

(b) another person who is living with the person on a genuine domestic basis; and

(d) a carer of the person; and

(e) another person who is in a business, sporting or recreational relationship with the person.

auxiliary aid means equipment (other than a palliative or therapeutic device) that provides assistance to a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability.

club means an association (whether incorporated or unincorporated) of persons associated together for social, literary, cultural, political, sporting, athletic or other lawful purposes that provides and maintains its facilities, in whole or in part, from the funds of the association.

Commission means the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission established by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

commission agent means a person who does work for another person as the agent of that other person and who is remunerated, whether in whole or in part, by commission.

Commissioner means the Disability Discrimination Commissioner appointed under section 113.

committee of management, in relation to a club or a registered organisation, means the group or body of persons (however described) that manages the affairs of that club or organisation, as the case may be.

Commonwealth agency means an agency within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988.

Commonwealth employee means a person who:

(a) is appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999;

(b) holds an administrative office; or

(d) holds an office or appointment in the Commonwealth Teaching Service or is employed as a temporary employee under the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1972; or

(e) is employed under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 or the Naval Defence Act 1910; or

(f) is a member of the Defence Force; or

(g) is the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, an AFP employee or a special member of the Australian Federal Police (all within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979).

Commonwealth law means:

(a) an Act, or a regulation, rule, by-law or determination made under an Act; or

(b) an ordinance of a Territory, or a regulation, rule, by-law or determination made under an ordinance of a Territory; or

(d) a decision of the Australian Fair Pay Commission (within the meaning of the Workplace Relations Act 1996).

Commonwealth program means a program conducted by or on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.

contract worker means a person who does work for another person under a contract between the employer of the first-mentioned person and that other person.

Convention means the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organization on 25 June 1958, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 1 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights means the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 2 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

Department means an Agency within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999.

disability, in relation to a person, means:

(a) total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or

(b) total or partial loss of a part of the body; or

(d) the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or

(e) the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or

(f) a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or

(g) a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour;

and includes a disability that:

(h) presently exists; or

(i) previously existed but no longer exists; or

(j) may exist in the future; or

(k) is imputed to a person.

disability discrimination has the meaning given by sections 5 to 9 (inclusive).

discriminate has the meaning given by sections 5 to 9 (inclusive).

document includes any book, register or other record of information, however compiled, recorded or stored.

educational authority means a body or person administering an educational institution.

educational institution means a school, college, university or other institution at which education or training is provided.

education provider means:

(a) an educational authority; or

(b) an educational institution; or

(c) an organisation whose purpose is to develop or accredit curricula or training courses used by other education providers referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

employment includes:

(a) part-time and temporary employment; and

(b) work under a contract for services; and

(d) work as an employee of a State or an instrumentality of a State.

employment agency means any person who, or body that, whether for payment or not, assists persons to find employment or other work or assists employers to find employees or workers, and includes the Commonwealth Employment Service.

enactment has the same meaning as in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

exemption means an exemption granted under section 55.

Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.

function includes duty.

institution of tertiary education means a university, technical and further education institution or other institution at which tertiary education or training is provided.

instrumentality of a State means a body or authority established for a public purpose by a law of a State and includes a local government body.

premises includes:

(a) a structure, building, aircraft, vehicle or vessel; and

(b) a place (whether enclosed or built on or not); and

President means President of the Commission.

principal means:

(a) in relation to a commission agent—a person for whom the commission agent does work as a commission agent; and

(b) in relation to a contract worker—a person for whom the contract worker does work under a contract between the employer of the contract worker and the person.

principal executive, in relation to a Commonwealth agency, has the same meaning as in Part V of the Privacy Act 1988.

proposed enactment has the same meaning as in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

public authority of the Commonwealth means:

(a) a body incorporated, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory, being a body corporate employing staff on its own behalf; or

(b) an authority or body, not being a body corporate, established, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, for a public purpose by, or in accordance with the provisions of, a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory, being an authority or body employing staff on its own behalf; or

(c) an incorporated company over which the Commonwealth, or a body or authority referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), is in a position to exercise control.

registered organisation means:

(a) an organisation within the meaning of Part 2 of Chapter 2 of Schedule 1 to the Workplace Relations Act 1996; or

(b) a transitionally registered association within the meaning of Schedule 10 to the Workplace Relations Act 1996.

relative, in relation to a person, means a person who is related to the first-mentioned person by blood, marriage, affinity or adoption.

services includes:

(a) services relating to banking, insurance, superannuation and the provision of grants, loans, credit or finance; or

(b) services relating to entertainment, recreation or refreshment; or

(d) services relating to telecommunications; or

(e) services of the kind provided by the members of any profession or trade; or

(f) services of the kind provided by a government, a government authority or a local government body.

State, except in subsections 12(11) and (12), includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

technical and further education institution has the same meaning as that expression has in the Employment, Education and Training Act 1988.

Territory, except in subsection 12(12) or in paragraph (c) of the definition of administrative office in this subsection, does not include the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

this Act includes the regulations.

unjustifiable hardship has the meaning given by section 11.

voluntary body means an association or other body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) the activities of which are not engaged in for the purpose of making a profit, but does not include:

(a) a club; or

(b) a body established by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(2) For the purposes of this Act, refusing or failing to do an act is taken to be the doing of an act and a reference to an act includes a reference to a refusal or failure to do an act.

5 Disability discrimination

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person (discriminator) discriminates against another person (aggrieved person) on the ground of a disability of the aggrieved person if, because of the aggrieved person’s disability, the discriminator treats or proposes to treat the aggrieved person less favourably than, in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, the discriminator treats or would treat a person without the disability.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), circumstances in which a person treats or would treat another person with a disability are not materially different because of the fact that different accommodation or services may be required by the person with a disability.

6 Indirect disability discrimination

For the purposes of this Act, a person (discriminator) discriminates against another person (aggrieved person) on the ground of a disability of the aggrieved person if the discriminator requires the aggrieved person to comply with a requirement or condition:

(a) with which a substantially higher proportion of persons without the disability comply or are able to comply; and

(b) which is not reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the case; and

7 Disability discrimination—palliative and therapeutic devices and auxiliary aids

For the purposes of this Act, a person (discriminator) discriminates against another person with a disability (aggrieved person) if the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably because of the fact that the aggrieved person is accompanied by, or possesses:

(a) a palliative or therapeutic device; or

(b) an auxiliary aid;

that is used by the aggrieved person, or because of any matter related to that fact, whether or not it is the discriminator’s practice to treat less favourably any person who is accompanied by, or is in possession of, and is the user of:

(d) such an auxiliary aid.

8 Disability discrimination—interpreters, readers and assistants

(a) an interpreter; or

(b) a reader; or

(d) a carer;

who provides interpretive, reading or other services to the aggrieved person because of the disability, or because of any matter related to that fact, whether or not it is the discriminator’s practice to treat less favourably any person who is accompanied by:

(e) an interpreter; or

(f) a reader; or

(g) an assistant; or

(h) a carer.

9 Disability discrimination—guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person (discriminator) discriminates against a person with:

(a) a visual disability; or

(b) a hearing disability; or

(aggrieved person) if the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably because of the fact that the aggrieved person possesses, or is accompanied by:

(d) a guide dog; or

(e) a dog trained to assist the aggrieved person in activities where hearing is required, or because of any matter related to that fact; or

(f) any other animal trained to assist the aggrieved person to alleviate the effect of the disability, or because of any matter related to that fact;

whether or not it is the discriminator’s practice to treat less favourably any person who possesses, or is accompanied by, a dog or any other animal.

(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the liability of a person with a disability for damage to property caused by a dog or other animal trained to assist the person to alleviate the effect of the disability or because of any matter related to that fact.

10 Act done because of disability and for other reason

If:

(a) an act is done for 2 or more reasons; and

(b) one of the reasons is the disability of a person (whether or not it is the dominant or a substantial reason for doing the act);

then, for the purposes of this Act, the act is taken to be done for that reason.

11 Unjustifiable hardship

For the purposes of this Act, in determining what constitutes unjustifiable hardship, all relevant circumstances of the particular case are to be taken into account including:

(a) the nature of the benefit or detriment likely to accrue or be suffered by any persons concerned; and

(b) the effect of the disability of a person concerned; and

(c) the financial circumstances and the estimated amount of expenditure required to be made by the person claiming unjustifiable hardship; and

(d) in the case of the provision of services, or the making available of facilities—an action plan given to the Commission under section 64.

12 Application of Act

(1) In this section:

Australia includes the external Territories.

limited application provisions means the provisions of Divisions 1, 2 and 3 of Part 2 other than sections 20, 29 and 30.

(2) Subject to this section, this Act applies throughout Australia.

(3) This Act has effect in relation to acts done within a Territory.

(4) The limited application provisions have effect as provided in subsection (3) of this section and the following provisions of this section and not otherwise.

(5) Sections 15, 16 and 17 have effect in relation to discrimination against:

(a) Commonwealth employees in connection with their employment as Commonwealth employees; and

(b) persons seeking to become Commonwealth employees.

(6) Section 19 has effect in relation to discrimination by an authority or body in the exercise of a power under a Commonwealth law to confer, renew, extend, revoke or withdraw an authorisation or qualification.

(7) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to acts done by, or on behalf of:

(a) the Commonwealth or the Administration of a Territory; or

(b) a body or authority established for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory;

in the exercise of a power conferred by a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory.

(8) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination against a person with a disability to the extent that the provisions:

(a) give effect to the Convention; or

(b) give effect to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; or

(d) relate to matters external to Australia; or

(e) relate to matters of international concern.

(9) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination by a foreign corporation, or a trading or financial corporation formed within the limits of the Commonwealth, or by a person in the course of the person’s duties or purported duties as an officer or employee of such a corporation.

(10) Without limiting the effect of subsection (9), the limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination by a trading or financial corporation formed within the limits of the Commonwealth, or by a person in the course of the person’s duties or purported duties as an officer or employee of such a corporation, to the extent that the discrimination takes place in the course of the trading activities of the trading corporation or the financial activities of the financial corporation, as the case may be.

(11) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination in the course of, or in relation to, the carrying on of the business of:

(a) banking, other than State banking not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned; or

(b) insurance, other than State insurance not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned.

(12) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce:

(a) between Australia and a place outside Australia; or

(b) among the States; or

(d) between 2 Territories.

(13) The limited application provisions have effect in relation to discrimination within Australia involving persons or things, or matters arising outside Australia.

(14) The provisions of Division 3 of Part 2 have effect in relation to acts done within Australia involving persons or things, or matters arising outside Australia.

12A Application of the Criminal Code

Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code (except Part 2.5) applies to all offences against this Act.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

13 Operation of State and Territory laws

(1) A reference in this section to this Act is a reference to this Act as it has effect because of a provision of section 12.

(2) A reference in this section to a law of a State or Territory is a reference to a law of a State or Territory that deals with discrimination on the grounds of disability.

(3) This Act is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of a law of a State or Territory that is capable of operating concurrently with this Act.

(4) If:

(a) a law of a State or Territory relating to discrimination deals with a matter dealt with by this Act; and

(b) a person has made a complaint or initiated a proceeding under that law in respect of an act or omission in respect of which the person would, apart from this subsection, have been entitled to make a complaint under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 alleging that the act or omission is unlawful under a provision of Part 2 of this Act;

the person is not entitled to make a complaint or institute a proceeding under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 alleging that the act or omission is unlawful under a provision of Part 2 of this Act.

(5) If:

(a) a law of a State or Territory deals with a matter dealt with by this Act; and

(b) an act or omission by a person that constitutes an offence against that law also constitutes an offence against this Act;

the person may be prosecuted and convicted either under that law of the State or Territory or under this Act, but nothing in this subsection renders a person liable to be punished more than once in respect of the same act or omission.

14 Extent to which Act binds the Crown

(1) This Act binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of each of the States and of Norfolk Island.

(2) This Act does not render the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of a State or of Norfolk Island liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

Part 2—Prohibition of disability discrimination

Division 1—Discrimination in work

15 Discrimination in employment

(1) It is unlawful for an employer or a person acting or purporting to act on behalf of an employer to discriminate against a person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of that other person’s associates:

(a) in the arrangements made for the purpose of determining who should be offered employment; or

(b) in determining who should be offered employment; or

(2) It is unlawful for an employer or a person acting or purporting to act on behalf of an employer to discriminate against an employee on the ground of the employee’s disability or a disability of any of that employee’s associates:

(a) in the terms or conditions of employment that the employer affords the employee; or

(b) by denying the employee access, or limiting the employee’s access, to opportunities for promotion, transfer or training, or to any other benefits associated with employment; or

(d) by subjecting the employee to any other detriment.

(3) Neither paragraph (1)(a) nor (b) renders it unlawful for a person to discriminate against another person, on the ground of the other person’s disability, in connection with employment to perform domestic duties on the premises on which the first-mentioned person resides.

(4) Neither paragraph (1)(b) nor (2)(c) renders unlawful discrimination by an employer against a person on the ground of the person’s disability, if taking into account the person’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to the particular employment and, if the person is already employed by the employer, the person’s performance as an employee, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of his or her disability:

(a) would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of the particular employment; or

(b) would, in order to carry out those requirements, require services or facilities that are not required by persons without the disability and the provision of which would impose an unjustifiable hardship on the employer.

16 Discrimination against commission agents

(1) It is unlawful for a principal to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of that person’s associates:

(a) in the arrangements the principal makes for the purpose of determining who should be engaged as a commission agent; or

(b) in determining who should be engaged as a commission agent; or

(2) It is unlawful for a principal to discriminate against a commission agent on the ground of the commission agent’s disability or a disability of any of the person’s associates:

(a) in the terms or conditions that the principal affords the commission agent as a commission agent; or

(b) by denying the commission agent access, or limiting the commission agent’s access, to opportunities for promotion, transfer or training, or to any other benefits associated with the position as a commission agent; or

(d) by subjecting the commission agent to any other detriment.

(3) Neither paragraph (1)(b) nor (2)(c) renders unlawful discrimination by a principal against a person on the ground of the person’s disability, if taking into account the person’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to engagement as a commission agent and, if the person is already engaged by the principal as a commission agent, the person’s performance as a commission agent, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of his or her disability:

(a) would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of a commission agent; or

17 Discrimination against contract workers

(1) It is unlawful for a principal to discriminate against a contract worker on the ground of the contract worker’s disability or a disability of any of the contract worker’s associates:

(a) in the terms or conditions on which the principal allows the contract worker to work; or

(b) by not allowing the contract worker to work or continue to work; or

(c) by denying the contract worker access, or limiting the contract worker’s access, to any benefit associated with the work in respect of which the contract with the employer is made; or

(d) by subjecting the contract worker to any other detriment.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not render it unlawful for a principal to discriminate against a contract worker on the ground of the contract worker’s disability, if taking into account the contract worker’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to working as a contract worker and, if the person is already working for the principal as a contract worker, the contract worker’s performance as a contract worker, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of the contract worker’s disability:

(a) would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of a contract worker; or

18 Partnerships

(1) It is unlawful for 3 or more persons who are proposing to form themselves into a partnership to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates:

(a) in determining who should be invited to become a partner in the partnership; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the other person is invited to become a partner in the partnership.

(2) It is unlawful for any one or more of the partners in a partnership consisting of 3 or more partners to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates:

(a) in determining who should be invited to become a partner in the partnership; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the other person is invited to become a partner in the partnership.

(3) It is unlawful for any one or more of the partners in a partnership consisting of 3 or more partners to discriminate against another partner in the partnership on the ground of the other partner’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates:

(a) by denying the other partner access, or limiting the other partner’s access, to any benefit arising from being a partner in the partnership; or

(b) by expelling the other partner from the partnership; or

(4) Neither paragraph (1)(a), (2)(a) nor (3)(b) renders unlawful discrimination by a person against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability, if taking into account the other person’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to the proposed partnership or the partnership and, if the other person is already a partner, the other person’s performance as a partner, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of the other person’s disability:

(a) would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of a partner in the proposed partnership or the partnership; or

(b) would, in order to carry out those requirements, require services or facilities that are not required by partners without the disability and the provision of which would impose an unjustifiable hardship on the partnership.

19 Qualifying bodies

(1) It is unlawful for an authority or body that is empowered to confer, renew, extend, revoke or withdraw an authorisation or qualification that is needed for or facilitates the practice of a profession, the carrying on of a trade or the engaging in of an occupation to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of the person’s associates:

(a) by refusing or failing to confer, renew or extend the authorisation or qualification; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which it is prepared to confer the authorisation or qualification or to renew or extend the authorisation or qualification; or

(c) by revoking or withdrawing the authorisation or qualification or varying the terms or the conditions upon which it is held.

(2) This section does not render it unlawful for an authority or body to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability, if taking into account the person’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to the particular profession, trade or occupation and, if the person is already a member of the profession, carrying on the trade or engaged in the occupation, the person’s performance in the profession, trade or occupation, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of his or her disability, would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of the profession, trade or occupation.

20 Registered organisations under Schedule 1B to the Workplace Relations Act 1996

(1) It is unlawful for a registered organisation, the committee of management of a registered organisation or a member of the committee of management of a registered organisation to discriminate against a person, on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of the person’s associates:

(a) by refusing or failing to accept the person’s application for membership; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the organisation is prepared to admit the person to membership.

(2) It is unlawful for a registered organisation, the committee of management of a registered organisation or a member of the committee of management of a registered organisation to discriminate against a person who is a member of the registered organisation, on the ground of the member’s disability or a disability of any of the member’s associates:

(a) by denying the member access or limiting the member’s access, to any benefit provided by the organisation; or

(b) by depriving the member of membership or varying the terms of membership; or

21 Employment agencies

(1) It is unlawful for an employment agency to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of the person’s associates:

(a) by refusing to provide the person with any of its services; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which it offers to provide the person with any of its services; or

(2) This section does not render it unlawful for an employment agency to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability, if taking into account the person’s past training, qualifications and experience relevant to the work sought, and all other relevant factors that it is reasonable to take into account, the person because of his or her disability, would be unable to carry out the inherent requirements of the work sought.

Division 2—Discrimination in other areas

22 Education

(1) It is unlawful for an educational authority to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates:

(a) by refusing or failing to accept the person’s application for admission as a student; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which it is prepared to admit the person as a student.

(2) It is unlawful for an educational authority to discriminate against a student on the ground of the student’s disability or a disability of any of the student’s associates:

(a) by denying the student access, or limiting the student’s access, to any benefit provided by the educational authority; or

(b) by expelling the student; or

(2A) It is unlawful for an education provider to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of the person’s associates:

(a) by developing curricula or training courses having a content that will either exclude the person from participation, or subject the person to any other detriment; or

(b) by accrediting curricula or training courses having such a content.

(3) This section does not render it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability in respect of admission to an educational institution established wholly or primarily for students who have a particular disability where the person does not have that particular disability.

(4) This section does not make it unlawful for an education provider to discriminate against a person or student as described in subsection (1), (2) or (2A) on the ground of the disability of the person or student or a disability of any associate of the person or student if avoidance of that discrimination would impose an unjustifiable hardship on the education provider concerned.

23 Access to premises

(1) It is unlawful for a person to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of that other person’s associates:

(a) by refusing to allow the other person access to, or the use of, any premises that the public or a section of the public is entitled or allowed to enter or use (whether for payment or not); or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the first-mentioned person is prepared to allow the other person access to, or the use of, any such premises; or

(d) by refusing to allow the other person the use of any facilities in such premises that the public or a section of the public is entitled or allowed to use (whether for payment or not); or

(e) in the terms or conditions on which the first-mentioned person is prepared to allow the other person the use of any such facilities; or

(f) by requiring the other person to leave such premises or cease to use such facilities.

(2) This section does not render it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability in relation to the provision of access to premises if:

(a) the premises are so designed or constructed as to be inaccessible to a person with a disability; and

(b) any alteration to the premises to provide such access would impose unjustifiable hardship on the person who would have to provide that access.

24 Goods, services and facilities

(1) It is unlawful for a person who, whether for payment or not, provides goods or services, or makes facilities available, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of that other person’s associates:

(a) by refusing to provide the other person with those goods or services or to make those facilities available to the other person; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the first-mentioned person provides the other person with those goods or services or makes those facilities available to the other person; or

(c) in the manner in which the first-mentioned person provides the other person with those goods or services or makes those facilities available to the other person.

(2) This section does not render it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability if the provision of the goods or services, or making facilities available, would impose unjustifiable hardship on the person who provides the goods or services or makes the facilities available.

25 Accommodation

(1) It is unlawful for a person, whether as principal or agent, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of that other person’s associates:

(a) by refusing the other person’s application for accommodation; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the accommodation is offered to the other person; or

(c) by deferring the other person’s application for accommodation or according to the other person a lower order of precedence in any list of applicants for that accommodation.

(2) It is unlawful for a person, whether as principal or agent, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates:

(a) by denying the other person access, or limiting the other person’s access, to any benefit associated with accommodation occupied by the other person; or

(b) by evicting the other person from accommodation occupied by the other person; or

(d) by refusing to permit the other person to make reasonable alterations to accommodation occupied by that person if:

(i) that person has undertaken to restore the accommodation to its condition before alteration on leaving the accommodation; and

(ii) in all the circumstances it is likely that the person will perform the undertaking; and

(iii) in all the circumstances, the action required to restore the accommodation to its condition before alteration is reasonably practicable; and

(iv) the alteration does not involve alteration of the premises of any other occupier; and

(v) the alteration is at that other person’s own expense.

(3) This section does not apply to or in respect of:

(a) the provision of accommodation in premises if:

(i) the person who provides or proposes to provide the accommodation or a near relative of that person resides, and intends to continue to reside on those premises; and

(ii) the accommodation provided in those premises is for no more than 3 persons other than a person referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) or near relatives of such a person; or

(b) the accommodation is provided by a charitable or other voluntary body solely for persons who have a particular disability and the person discriminated against does not have that particular disability; or

(c) the provision of accommodation in premises where special services or facilities would be required by the person with a disability and the provision of such special services or facilities would impose unjustifiable hardship on the person providing or proposing to provide the accommodation whether as principal or agent.

26 Land

(1) It is unlawful for a person, whether as principal or agent, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of that person’s associates:

(a) by refusing or failing to dispose of an estate or interest in land to the other person; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which an estate or interest in land is offered to the other person.

(2) This section does not apply in relation to a disposal of an estate or interest in land by will or by way of gift.

27 Clubs and incorporated associations

(1) It is unlawful for a club or incorporated association, the committee of management of a club or a member of the committee of management of a club or incorporated association to discriminate against a person who is not a member of the club or association on the ground of the person’s disability or a disability of any of that person’s associates:

(a) by refusing or failing to accept the person’s application for membership; or

(b) in the terms or conditions on which the club or association is prepared to admit the person to membership.

(2) It is unlawful for a club or incorporated association, the committee of management of a club or a member of the committee of management of a club or incorporated association to discriminate against a person who is a member of the club or association on the ground of the member’s disability or a disability of any of the member’s associates:

(a) in the terms or conditions of membership that are afforded to the member; or

(b) by refusing or failing to accept the member’s application for a particular class or type of membership; or

(d) by depriving the member of membership or varying the terms of membership; or

(e) by subjecting the member to any other detriment.

(3) Paragraph (2)(c) does not render unlawful discrimination where, because of the person’s disability, the person requires the benefit to be provided in a special manner and the benefit cannot without unjustifiable hardship be so provided by the club or incorporated association.

(4) Neither subsection (1) nor (2) renders it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person’s disability if membership (however described) of the club or incorporated association is restricted only to persons who have a particular disability and the first-mentioned person does not have that disability.

28 Sport

(1) It is unlawful for a person to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability or a disability of any of the other person’s associates by excluding that other person from a sporting activity.

(2) In subsection (1), a reference to a sporting activity includes a reference to an administrative or coaching activity in relation to any sport.

(3) Subsection (1) does not render unlawful discrimination against a person:

(a) if the person is not reasonably capable of performing the actions reasonably required in relation to the sporting activity; or

(b) if the persons who participate or are to participate in the sporting activities are selected by a method which is reasonable on the basis of their skills and abilities relevant to the sporting activity and relative to each other; or

(c) if a sporting activity is conducted only for persons who have a particular disability and the first-mentioned person does not have that disability.

29 Administration of Commonwealth laws and programs

It is unlawful for a person who performs any function or exercises any power under a Commonwealth law or for the purposes of a Commonwealth program or has any other responsibility for the administration of a Commonwealth law or the conduct of a Commonwealth program, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability, or a disability of any of the other person’s associates in the performance of that function, the exercise of that power or the fulfilment of that responsibility.

30 Requests for information

If, because of another provision of this Part (other than section 32), it would be unlawful, in particular circumstances, for a person to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability, in doing a particular act, it is unlawful for the first-mentioned person to request or require the other person to provide, in connection with or for the purposes of the doing of the act, information (whether by completing a form or otherwise) that persons who do not have a disability would not, in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, be requested or required to provide.

31 Disability standards

(1) The Minister may formulate standards, to be known as disability standards, in relation to:

(a) the employment of persons with a disability; and

(b) the education of persons with a disability; and

(d) the provision of public transportation services and facilities by:

(i) the Commonwealth; and

(ii) a State; and

(iii) a Territory; and

(iv) a public authority of the Commonwealth; and

(v) an instrumentality of a State; and

(vi) a public authority of a Territory; and

(vii) any other person;

to a person with a disability; and

(e) the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs in respect of persons with a disability; and

(f) the access to or the use of any premises, by persons with a disability, that the public or a section of the public is entitled or allowed to enter or use (whether for payment or not).

(1A) For the avoidance of doubt, disability standards may require a person or body dealing with persons with disabilities to put in place reasonable adjustments to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against those persons.

(1B) Disability standards in relation to the education of persons with disabilities may require education providers to develop strategies and programs that prevent harassment or victimisation of persons with disabilities, in relation to those disabilities.

(1C) For the avoidance of doubt, unjustifiable hardship does not excuse an education provider from complying with a requirement made by disability standards under subsection (1B). This does not affect (by implication) the operation of section 32 in relation to other contraventions of disability standards.

(2) Disability standards formulated in accordance with this section are to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the disability standards are formulated and take effect only as provided by the following provisions of this section.

(3) If:

(a) notice of a motion to amend the disability standards is given in either House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days after the disability standards have been laid before that House; and

(b) the disability standards, whether or not as amended, are subsequently approved by that House; and

the disability standards take effect in the form so approved from the day on which that other House approves the disability standards in that form.

(4) If no notice of a motion to amend the disability standards is given in the House of Representatives or the Senate within 15 sitting days of the particular House after the disability standards have been laid before that House, the disability standards take effect from the day immediately after that 15th sitting day or, where that day differs in respect of each House, the later of those days.

32 Unlawful to contravene disability standards

It is unlawful for a person to contravene a disability standard.

33 Division 5 generally not to apply to disability standards

Division 5 (other than subsections 55(1A) to (1D) and any reference in that Division to those provisions) does not apply in relation to a disability standard.

34 This Part not to apply if person acts in accordance with disability standards

If a person acts in accordance with a disability standard this Part does not apply to the person’s act.

Division 3—Discrimination involving harassment

35 Harassment in employment

(1) It is unlawful for a person to harass another person who:

(a) is an employee of that person; and

(b) has a disability;