Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service has offices in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and provides legal services, advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Tasmania. They can be contacted on 1800 595 162 or by email tals@tals.net.au.
Discrimination
The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner aims to foster a society free of discrimination, prejudice, bias and prohibited conduct by administering the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas). If you would like more information about discrimination, or to make a complaint, call them on 1300 305 062 or check out other ways to contact them on their website.
Know your rights
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent organisation that investigates complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights. You can find out more information about your rights or make a complaint on their website.
Complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act
The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA) makes it against the law to treat you unfairly because of your race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status. The RDA also makes racial hatred against the law.
You can use the RDA to get fair treatment in many areas of public life such as:
- employment – getting a job, terms and conditions of a job, training, promotion, being dismissed
- education – enrolling or studying in a course at a private or public school, college or university
- accommodation – renting or buying a house or unit
- getting or using services – such as banking or insurance services, services provided by government departments, transport or telecommunication services, professional services like those provided by lawyers, doctors or tradespeople, services provided by restaurants, shops or entertainment venues
- accessing public places – such as parks, government offices, restaurants, hotels or shopping centres.
Find out more about racial discrimination complaints on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
Australian Government services for Aboriginal people
Find out more on the Services Australia website about ABSTUDY and about other payments and support for Aboriginal people.
If you want to make a complaint in relation to Centrelink, child support or Medicare, you can find out information about how to do that on the Services Australia website.