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Equal Opportunity

Equal opportunity involves everyone being able to participate freely and equally in areas of life such as in the workplace, in education, or in accessing goods and services. This involves:

• treating all people equally and providing everyone with equal rights, often called a ‘fair go’

• basing decisions on a person’s merit, not on irrelevant personaAl characteristics such as their sex, age or race.

Legislation

Victoria has had an Equal Opportunity Act since 1977. It aims to:

• promote everyone's right to equal opportunities
• eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination and sexual harassment
• provide redress for people whose rights have been breached.

Review

The Act has been amended over the years to deal with new forms of discrimination or entrenched discrimination and to address social change and changes in attitudes and in federal or other laws.
The Equal Opportunity Act 1995 is currently being reviewed to better address systemic barriers to equal opportunity in Victoria and to assess options for making the law more effective in eliminating discrimination. Further details of the review can be found at the Equal Opportunity Review page.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, an independent body, promotes equality of opportunity in Victoria, educates people about their rights and responsibilities under equal opportunity laws, and provides legal and policy advice.
The Commission website outlines how and where Victorian equal opportunity, and anti-discrimination and harassment laws operate. It also explains related laws such as the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.
Complaints
The Commission helps people resolve complaints by mutual agreement. There is more information on the Commission website.

Complaints

Advice Line: Weekdays: 9am-5pm, Wednesdays 9am-1pm
Tel: (03) 9281 7100
TTY: (03) 9281 7110
Email: complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au