The Racial Discrimination Act 1975

The 1975 Racial Discrimination Act promotes equality before the law for all people and makes discrimination unlawful.

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (the 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.

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 gives effect to Australia's obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Its major objectives are to

  • promote equality before the law for all persons, regardless of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin, and
  • make discrimination against people on the basis of their race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin unlawful.


The Racial Discrimination Act is administered by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

 

Read the original 1975 Racial Discrimination Act here

Read the latest version of the Racial Discrimination Act which is currently in force in Australia here

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