Victoria’s human rights laws

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is an independent organisation. Our role is to protect and promote human rights in Victoria. We do this through a range of functions and services under Victoria’s three human rights laws.

Equal Opportunity Act 2010

The Equal Opportunity Act protects you from discrimination, sexual harassment and vilification. Under this Act, it’s against the law for people to treat you unfairly because of your personal characteristics, such as your age, your sex or a disability.

It is against the law to engage in unwelcome sexual behaviour that causes a person to feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, where a reasonable person could have anticipated that reaction in the circumstances.

It is also against the law to vilify you based on a listed personal characteristic.

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) requires government and other public bodies to consider your human rights when making laws and providing services.

Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021

Change or suppression practices are harmful practices which seek to change or hide an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 bans change or suppression practices and provides a range of options for preventing and responding to these practices.