Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
Encyclopedia
The Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 is an Act of the NSW Parliament, relating to discrimination in employment, the public education system, delivery of goods and services, and other services such as banking, health care, property and night clubs.
The Act renders unlawful racial, sexual and other types of discrimination in certain circumstances and promotes equality of opportunity for all people.
The Act covers the following types of discrimination:
on 28 April 1977 and came into effect on 1 June 1977. It was the 48th Act of 1977. Since then the Act has been amended and reformed about 90 times.
The Board investigates and conciliates complaints. Any issues which require a legally binding decision can be referred to the Equal Opportunities Division of the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal (which does have the authority to make a decision) or to a Court.
The Anti-Discrimination Board advises the Government on discrimination matters and makes recommendations to the Attorney General on applications for exemption from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
The Act renders unlawful racial, sexual and other types of discrimination in certain circumstances and promotes equality of opportunity for all people.
The Act covers the following types of discrimination:
- Sex (including breastfeeding, pregnancy and sexual harassment)
- DisabilityDisabilityA disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
(including past, present or future disability and also includes actual or perceived HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
status) - Race (including ethno-religion)
- HomosexualityHomosexualityHomosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
(actual or perceived) - Marital or domestic status
- Age (present or future)
- TransgenderTransgenderTransgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
(including transsexuality) - Carer’s responsibilities (but only within employment).
Development of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
The Act was granted Royal AssentRoyal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
on 28 April 1977 and came into effect on 1 June 1977. It was the 48th Act of 1977. Since then the Act has been amended and reformed about 90 times.
Anti-Discrimination Board
The Anti-Discrimination Board was set up under the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to administer the Act. The Anti-Discrimination Board promotes anti-discrimination and equal opportunity principles and policies throughout NSWFunctions of the Board
The Anti-Discrimination Board handles complaints of discrimination made by the public. The Board provides an enquiry service for people who wish to find out about their rights or responsibilities under the Act. The Board is also empowered to accept, investigate and conciliate on complaints wherever appropriate.Making a complaint
The Board attempts to prevent discrimination from occurring. While informing people of their rights and responsibilities through consultations, education programs, seminars, participation in community functions and via the Board website, the Board also accepts complaints regarding discrimination from individuals and their lawyers. Complaints are required to be in writing and posted or sent via facsimile to the Board.The Board investigates and conciliates complaints. Any issues which require a legally binding decision can be referred to the Equal Opportunities Division of the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal (which does have the authority to make a decision) or to a Court.
The Anti-Discrimination Board advises the Government on discrimination matters and makes recommendations to the Attorney General on applications for exemption from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.