Equality, Gender Equality & a Fair Go
Australia values the equal rights of all people. Regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin — all people in Australia are protected by law and entitled to equal opportunity.
Equality of All People Under the Law
Australian society values the equal rights of all people. The law is applied so that people from different backgrounds are not given preferential treatment, nor discriminated against. All faiths receive the same treatment. Two people of any gender can legally marry each other.
| Protected Characteristic | What the Law Says |
|---|---|
| Gender | Men and women have equal rights. It is against the law to discriminate based on gender. |
| Sexual Orientation | All people are protected equally. Two men or two women can legally marry each other. |
| Age | Age-based discrimination is prohibited by law. |
| Disability | People with disabilities have equal rights and legal protection. |
| Religion | All faiths (and no faith) receive equal treatment under the law. |
| Race / Ethnicity | Racial discrimination is illegal. Racism has no place in Australia. |
Gender Equality
Men and women have equal rights in Australia. Both have equal access to education, employment, can vote at elections, stand for parliament, join the Australian Defence Force and police, and are treated equally in courts of law.
Zero Tolerance: Domestic Violence
- Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable in Australia
- It is a criminal offence — perpetrators will face serious legal consequences
- Both men and women are protected by law from intimidation or violence
- Divorce is legal — either a husband or wife may apply, even if the other wishes to continue the marriage
Equality of Opportunity & a 'Fair Go'
Australians value equal opportunity — what is often called a 'fair go'. This means everyone, regardless of their background, is given an equal opportunity to achieve success in life. There are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.
What someone achieves in life should be the result of their hard work, talents and effort — not their gender, wealth or ethnicity. When an organisation needs to fill a job, the law supports selecting the person with the best skills and experience for the role.
Key Points to Remember
- All people are equal under Australian law regardless of gender, religion, race, age, disability or sexual orientation
- Same-sex marriage is legal in Australia
- Men and women have equal rights in education, employment, voting, parliament, ADF and courts
- A woman has the right to get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications
- Domestic violence is a criminal offence — never acceptable
- Divorce is acceptable — either spouse can apply, even without the other's agreement
- A 'fair go' means success through hard work and talent, not wealth or background