Law, justice & securityStatutory authorityExists today
Australian Human Rights Commission
AHRC
5 August 2009 – present
Previously Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1986–2009).
Australia's national human rights institution, which investigates and conciliates discrimination and human rights complaints, conducts national inquiries and promotes human rights through specialist commissioners.
Names over time
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission1986–2009
- Australian Human Rights Commission2009–present
How it came into existence
Took its current name on 5 August 2009, when the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009 renamed the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and its Act (now the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986).
Legislation: Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
Changes during its life
- 2011A dedicated Age Discrimination Commissioner was appointed under the Age Discrimination Act 2004.
- 2013The position of National Children's Commissioner was created within the commission.
Main functions
- Investigation and conciliation of discrimination and human rights complaints
- National inquiries and reports
- Human rights education
- Advice to government and courts on human rights
- Specialist commissioners for race, sex, disability and age discrimination, children and social justice
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Attorney-General's
- Accountable authority
- President – Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 section 8A(4)
- ABN
- 47 996 232 602
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))