Aboriginal rights

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians and uphold your culture, history, diversity and deep connection to the land. We recognise the harm caused by race discrimination and vilification. It is against the law to treat you unfairly or bully you because you are Aboriginal. In Victoria, Aboriginal people also have special cultural rights under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Topics

Aboriginal Community Engagement Strategy

Aboriginal Community Partnership Principles

Our work on Aboriginal rights

Race discrimination

Racial and Religious Vilification

Recruitment and designated roles

Right to protection of cultural rights

Right to protection of families and children

Right to recognition and equality before the law

Key stats

47,787

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria

2016 Census

38

Koori clans across Victoria

Koori Heritage Trust

60,000

years of Aboriginal culture in Australia

Uluru Statement From the Heart

28%

of Australia's prison population are Aboriginal, but only 3% of the population generally

Creative Spirits, Aboriginal prison rates

Stories

Miriam's story

"I was put on a ‘compulsory treatment order’. It meant the hospital could give me whatever treatment they wanted, even if I didn’t want it. But even when you’re on getting treatment like that, you still have rights."

Ash and Tai's story

"As we were leaving, the security guard deliberately singled Ash and Tai out for a bag search. He wasn’t stopping anyone else, and I just knew that the only reason he stopped them was because they’re Aboriginal."

Related resources

Making transfer applications to the Koori court – a resource for lawyers and advocates