Victoria Legal Aid

Other support for discrimination

Learn where to get legal help and other support for discrimination.

How we can help

People who have been treated unfairly are often unsure about whether the behaviour they have experienced is actually against the law. If you think you have been treated unfairly at work or in other areas of public life, our Equality Law Program provides specialist sexual harassment and discrimination serivces and can help you understand your legal options. Our specialised team of lawyers provide advice and representation to eligible people experiencing discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation.

Our lawyers may be able to help you if you have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation, or racial or religious vilification in areas such as:

  • education
  • employment (including partnerships and contractors)
  • buying or selling goods or services
  • accommodation
  • clubs and sporting activities
  • working as a volunteer
  • treatment by local councils, governments and organisations providing public services
  • entry to shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

In some cases we may be able to negotiate, make a complaint, or take legal action in a court or tribunal.

We do not provide general employment advice and we do not help people to defend complaints of discrimination that have been made against them. We also do not help people with complaints about bullying, unless it is linked to discrimination.

Our legal help team will be able to connect you with our specialist sexual harassment services. If we can’t help, we can refer you to other organisations that can.

Contact our Equality Law Program team directly:

Send an email to equalitylaw@vla.vic.gov.au including:

  • Referrer name:
  • Referrer organisation:
  • Referrer contact number:
  • Referrer email:
  • Name:
  • DOB:
  • Address:
  • Contact number:
  • Email:
  • Any language or other support needs:
  • Description of your legal problem:
  • Any urgency or time limits that may apply:

Making a complaint about discrimination

Discrimination law is complex. It can be confusing knowing where to go to make a complaint. There are often several options available, such as complaining to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or the Australian Human Rights Commission or the Fair Work Commission (the workplace relations tribunal).

If you complain to one place, sometimes you cannot later change your mind and complain elsewhere. It is best to call us or speak to one of the services listed on this page to get legal advice before lodging a complaint.

However, if you want to speak directly to a human rights commission or industrial tribunal about making a complaint you can contact:

Other organisations that can help

Other legal services in Victoria may also be able to provide you with legal help.

Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights CommissionExternal Link investigates and provides concilliation for discrimination and human rights complaints. The complaints process is free and confidential and allows individuals to resolve disputes quickly and effectively.

Fair Work Commission

If you reasonably believe that you have been bullied at work and the bullying is continuing you may apply to the Fair Work CommissionExternal Link for an order to stop the bullying. The commission must start dealing with your application within 14 days. They will investigate the complaint and may make orders they think are necessary to prevent the bullying from happening again.

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work OmbudsmanExternal Link provides education, assistance and advice about workplace law, as well as monitoring compliance and investigating breaches of the Fair Work Act. The Ombudsman can help with some issues around sexual harassment at work. This is usually after an employee has already sought help, such as via the Fair Work Commission or another government body.

Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner

If you are under 18 and have experienced cyberbullying, you can make a complaint to the Office of the Children’s eSafety CommissionerExternal Link . They will assess your complaint and decide whether to investigate or take some other action.

They also have a list of social media services' safety centresExternal Link where you can report abuse or content that you find offensive.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights CommissionExternal Link website has information about a range of discrimination topics.

You can also call the enquiry line for information about discrimination, before making a complaint. Call the enquiry line on 1300 292 153.

Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 10 May 2023

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