If an individual's right is breached or his or her freedom is violated, Australia has promised to provide an effective remedy. This obligation operates regardless of who the violator is, even when it is the government itself. Human rights also imposes obligations or responsibilities on everyone. All human rights must be exercised in ways which do not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others. Back to Top 2.
Discrimination can either be direct or indirect.
Direct discrimination takes place when an individual is disadvantaged or treated less favourably than another person. An example of direct discrimination is failing to employ someone because he or she in a wheelchair. Indirect discrimination happens when a practice or policy appears to be fair because it treats everyone the same way but actually disadvantages people from a particular group. An example of indirect discrimination is requiring all people who apply for a certain job to pass an English test, even though English is not necessary for the job. This test might exclude more people whose first language is not English.