Discrimination Act 1991

Number: A1991-81
Status: In Force

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Current law
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Point-in-time versions
Law history

Current version

Notes

Uncommenced expiry of provisions.

Effective	Files/Formats	Version	Published	Notes
11 April 2024	HTML PDF Word	R50	11 April 2024	Republication for amendments by A2023-7 and A2023-57

Administering Minister and Directorate

Minister for Human Rights - Justice and Community Safety Directorate

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws

Name	Status	Classifier	Type	Under	Effective	Year and No
Discrimination - Section 108 Order 2002	None		Notifiable instruments	s 108	3 May 2002	NI2002-106
Discrimination Tribunal Publication Direction 2002 (No 2)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 108	5 July 2002	NI2002-196
Discrimination Tribunal Publication Direction 2003 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 108	25 February 2003	NI2003-83
Discrimination (Remuneration and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment)(Repealed)	Repealed		Subordinate laws	s 127	31 December 1996 - 24 September 1997	SL1996-32
Discrimination (Remuneration and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment)(Repealed)	Repealed		Subordinate laws	s 127	11 November 1995 - 24 September 1997	SL1995-42
Discrimination (Remuneration and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment)(Repealed)	Repealed		Subordinate laws	s 127	14 November 1994 - 24 September 1997	SL1994-38
Discrimination (Remuneration and Allowances) Regulations 1992(Repealed)	Repealed		Subordinate laws	s 127	25 March 1992	SL1992-3
Discrimination Direction(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 108	21 January 1995	NI1995-23
Discrimination Direction(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 108	23 May 1995 - 23 May 1995	NI1995-118
Discrimination Direction	None		Notifiable instruments	s 108	4 September 1995	NI1995-255
Discrimination Direction	None		Notifiable instruments	s 108	27 September 1995	NI1995-277
Discrimination Direction(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 108	11 October 1995	NI1995-287
Discrimination Direction(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 108	13 October 1995	NI1995-288
Discrimination Appointment of Discrimination Commissioner(Repealed)	Repealed	Appointment	Notifiable instruments	s 112	11 November 1995 - 30 June 1996	NI1995-310
Discrimination Commencement Notice 1992(Repealed)	Repealed		Commencement notices	s 2	20 January 1992 - 21 January 1992	CN1992-2
Human Rights Office Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Capital Territory(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 124	29 January 1992 - 1 November 2006	NI1992-34
Discrimination (BAE Systems Australia Ltd) Exemption 2011 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2011 - 14 July 2014	NI2011-425
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd) Exemption 2011 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	30 August 2011 - 30 November 2011	NI2011-532
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd) Exemption 2011 (No 2)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	1 December 2011 - 30 November 2014	NI2011-736
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd) Exemption 2012 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	8 June 2012 - 7 June 2015	NI2012-313
Discrimination (BAE Systems Australia Ltd) Exemption 2014 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2014 - 14 July 2017	NI2014-331
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd) Exemption 2015 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	8 June 2015 - 14 July 2017	NI2015-218
Discrimination Regulation 2016	None		Subordinate laws	s 123	28 July 2017	SL2016-23
Discrimination (BAE Systems Australia Ltd) Exemption 2017 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2017 - 14 July 2020	NI2017-362
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Limited) Exemption 2017 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2017 - 14 July 2020	NI2017-363
Discrimination Amendment Regulation 2017 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Subordinate laws	s 123	28 July 2017 - 29 July 2017	SL2017-22
Discrimination (Fujitsu Australia Limited) Exemption 2017 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	27 October 2017 - 26 October 2020	NI2017-546
Discrimination (Leidos) Exemption 2019 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	28 February 2019 - 27 February 2022	NI2019-105
Discrimination (BAE Systems Australia Ltd, BAE Systems Australia Defence Pty Ltd, and ASC Shipbuilding Pty Limited) Exemption 2020 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2020 - 14 July 2023	NI2020-385
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Limited) Exemption 2020 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	15 July 2020 - 14 July 2023	NI2020-386
Discrimination (Fujitsu Australia Limited) Exemption 2020 (No 1)(Repealed)	Repealed		Notifiable instruments	s 109	27 October 2020 - 26 October 2023	NI2020-672
Discrimination (Seeing Machines Limited) Exemption 2021 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	9 July 2021 - 8 July 2024	NI2021-413
Discrimination (Systems Planning and Analysis, Australia Pty Ltd) Exemption 2022 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	21 January 2022 - 20 January 2025	NI2022-24
Discrimination (CEA Research and Development) Exemption 2022 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	9 December 2022 - 8 December 2025	NI2022-621
Discrimination (Leidos entities) Exemption 2023 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	13 January 2023 - 12 January 2026	NI2023-12
Discrimination (Raytheon Australia Pty Limited) Exemption 2023 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	14 July 2023 - 13 July 2026	NI2023-300
Discrimination (BAE Systems Entities) Exemption 2023 (No 1)	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	14 July 2023 - 13 July 2026	NI2023-330
Discrimination (Fujitsu Australia Limited) Exemption 2023	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	26 October 2023 - 25 October 2026	NI2023-627
Discrimination (oobe Pty Ltd) Exemption 2023	None		Notifiable instruments	s 109	21 November 2023 - 20 November 2026	NI2023-702

Approved forms

Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws

Form name/number	Status	Description	Category	Under	Effective	Year and No	CategoryAll
Discrimination Act 1991—Form 1 (Repealed)	Repealed	Subpoena		s 120	9 March 2007 - 20 March 2007	AF2007-25	ShowInAll
Discrimination Act 1991—Form 1 (Repealed)	Repealed	Subpoena		s 120	21 March 2007 - 1 February 2009	AF2007-27	ShowInAll

Point-in-time versions

Enter a date to find a version from 20 January 1992 onwards:

The following table lists 64 point in time versions. You can skip this and jump to the next tab.
Effective	Files/Formats	Version	Published	Notes
11 April 2024	HTML PDF Word	R50	11 April 2024	Republication for amendments by A2023-7 and A2023-57
28 August 2020 - 10 April 2024	HTML PDF Word	R49	28 August 2020	Republication for amendments by A2020-42
10 April 2020 - 27 August 2020	HTML PDF Word	R48	10 April 2020	Republication for amendments by A2019-35
21 June 2019 - 9 April 2020	HTML PDF Word	R47	21 June 2019	Republication for amendments by A2019-17
29 April 2019 - 20 June 2019	HTML PDF Word	R46	29 April 2019	Republication for amendments by A2018-48
3 April 2017 - 28 April 2019	HTML PDF Word	R45	3 April 2017	Republication for amendments by A2016-49
25 August 2016 - 2 April 2017	HTML PDF Word	R44	25 August 2016	Republication for expiry of provisions (s 124 and sch 1)
24 August 2016 - 24 August 2016	HTML PDF Word	R43	24 August 2016	Republication for amendments by A2016-49
7 November 2015 - 23 August 2016	HTML PDF Word	R42	7 November 2015	Republication for amendments by A2015-45
7 November 2013 - 6 November 2015	HTML PDF Word	R41 (RI)	24 February 2014	Reissued because of High Court decision in relation to A2013-39
Never effective	HTML PDF Word	R41*	7 November 2013	Republication for amendments by A2013-39 Never effective because of High Court decision in relation to A2013-39 (see reissued republication)
22 September 2012 - 6 November 2013	HTML PDF Word	R40	22 September 2012	Republication for expiry of provision (s 57B (4), (5))
11 September 2012 - 21 September 2012	HTML PDF Word	R39	11 September 2012	Republication for amendments by A2012-40
12 December 2011 - 10 September 2012	HTML PDF Word	R38	12 December 2011	Republication for amendments by A2011-52
21 September 2011 - 11 December 2011	HTML PDF Word	R37*	21 September 2011	Republication for amendments by A2011-28
1 July 2011 - 20 September 2011	HTML PDF Word	R36	1 July 2011	Republication for amendments by A2011-22
1 December 2010 - 30 June 2011	HTML PDF Word	R35	1 December 2010	Republication for amendments by A2010-43
22 April 2010 - 30 November 2010	HTML PDF Word	R34	22 April 2010	Republication for amendments by A2009-36
9 March 2010 - 21 April 2010	HTML PDF Word	R33	9 March 2010	Republication for amendments by A2010-5
2 February 2009 - 8 March 2010	HTML PDF Word	R32*	2 February 2009	Republication for amendments by A2008-36
27 August 2008 - 1 February 2009	HTML PDF Word	R31	27 August 2008	Republication for amendments by A2008-29
13 August 2008 - 26 August 2008	HTML PDF Word	R30	13 August 2008	Republication for amendments by A2008-27
19 May 2008 - 12 August 2008	HTML PDF Word	R29	19 May 2008	Republication for amendments by A2008-14
27 December 2007 - 18 May 2008	HTML PDF Word	R28	27 December 2007	Republication for amendments by A2007-39
6 September 2007 - 26 December 2007	HTML PDF Word	R27	6 September 2007	Republication for amendments by A2007-22
11 July 2007 - 5 September 2007	HTML PDF Word	R26	11 July 2007	Republication for amendments by A2007-16
28 May 2007 - 10 July 2007	HTML PDF Word	R25	28 May 2007	Republication for amendments by A2006-47
2 December 2006 - 27 May 2007	HTML PDF Word	R24*	2 December 2006	Republication for commenced expiry
1 November 2006 - 1 December 2006	HTML PDF Word	R23	1 November 2006	Republication for amendments by A2005-41 as amended by A2006-3 and A2005-53 as amended by A2005-60
29 September 2006 - 31 October 2006	HTML PDF Word	R22	29 September 2006	Republication for amendments by A2006-40
23 February 2006 - 28 September 2006	HTML PDF Word	R21	23 February 2006	Republication for updated endnotes as amended by A2006-3
11 January 2006 - 22 February 2006	HTML PDF Word	R20	11 January 2006	Republication for commenced expiry
10 January 2005 - 10 January 2006	HTML PDF Word	R19	10 January 2005	Republication for amendments by A2004-60
1 September 2004 - 9 January 2005	HTML PDF Word	R18*	1 September 2004	Republication for amendments by A2004-13
12 August 2004 - 31 August 2004	HTML PDF Word	R17	12 August 2004	Republication for amendments by A2004-51
1 July 2004 - 11 August 2004	HTML PDF Word	R16	1 July 2004	Republication for amendments by A2004-5
30 April 2004 - 30 June 2004	HTML PDF Word	R15	30 April 2004	Republication for amendments by A2003-48
9 April 2004 - 29 April 2004	HTML PDF Word	R14	9 April 2004	Republication for amendments by A2004-15
22 March 2004 - 8 April 2004	HTML PDF Word	R13	22 March 2004	Republication for amendments by A2004-2
9 October 2003 - 21 March 2004	HTML PDF Word	R12	9 October 2003	Republication for amendments by A2003-41
28 March 2003 - 8 October 2003	HTML PDF Word	R11	28 March 2003	Republication for amendments by A2003-15
1 January 2003 - 27 March 2003	HTML PDF Word	R10 (RI)	10 February 2003	Reissue for retrospective amendment by A2002-49
1 January 2003 - 27 March 2003	HTML PDF Word	R10	1 January 2003	Does not include retrospective amendments by A2002-49 (see reissued republication). Republication for amendments by A2002-51
11 July 2002 - 31 December 2002	HTML PDF Word	R9	11 July 2002	Republication includes editorial amendments under Legislation Act
14 June 2002 - 10 July 2002	HTML PDF Word	R8	14 June 2002	Republication for amendments by A2002-19
28 May 2002 - 13 June 2002	HTML PDF Word	R7	31 May 2002	Republication for amendments by A2002-11
12 September 2001 - 27 May 2002	HTML PDF Word	R6	12 September 2001	Republication for amendments by A2000-48 and A2001-44
15 June 2000 - 27 March 2001	HTML PDF Word	R5 (RI)	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1999-64 and A2000-17 Reissued electronic republication of printed version
9 March 2000 - 9 May 2000	HTML PDF Word	R4D	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A2000-2
23 December 1999 - 8 March 2000	HTML PDF Word	R4C	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1999-83
10 November 1999 - 22 December 1999	HTML PDF Word	R4B	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1999-60 and A1999-66
1 September 1999 - 9 November 1999	HTML PDF Word	R4A	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1999-22
31 January 1999 - 31 August 1999	HTML PDF Word	R4 (RI)	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1997-41, A1998-52 and A1998-54 Reissued electronic republication of printed version
31 January 1997 - 22 September 1997	HTML PDF Word	R3 (RI)	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1996-67 Reissued electronic republication of printed version
18 December 1995 - 30 December 1996	HTML PDF Word	R2 (RI)	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1995-46 Reissued electronic republication of printed version
5 September 1995 - 17 December 1995	HTML PDF Word	R1E	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1995-25
30 June 1995 - 4 September 1995	HTML PDF Word	R1D	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1995-9
22 December 1994 - 29 June 1995	HTML PDF Word	R1C	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1994-103
14 November 1994 - 21 December 1994	HTML PDF Word	R1B	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1994-60
1 July 1994 - 13 November 1994	HTML PDF Word	R1A	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1994-38
14 May 1994 - 30 June 1994	HTML PDF Word	R1 (RI)	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1994-11 Reissued electronic republication of printed version
4 March 1994 - 13 May 1994	HTML PDF Word	R0C	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1994-1
27 August 1993 - 3 March 1994	HTML PDF Word	R0B	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1993-44
21 May 1993 - 26 August 1993	HTML PDF Word	R0A	26 June 2008	Republication for amendments by A1993-25
20 January 1992	HTML PDF Word	As notified	13 December 1991

Bill and Explanatory statement

The bill and explanatory statement for this Act are accessed from Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Bill 1991.

Notification statement

The Discrimination Act 1991 was passed by the Legislative Assembly and was notified in the Gazette on 13 December 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S143).

(Parliamentary Counsel)

Act as notified

Date notified	Effective	Files/Formats	Notes
13 December 1991	20 January 1992	HTML PDF Word

Commencement

Provision	Commencement date	Commencement method
s 1, s 2	13 December 1991	s 2 (1)
remainder	20 January 1992	s 2 (2) and Gaz 1992 No S6

Expiries

Provision	Expiry date	Expiry method
s 30 (1) (a), (b), (4)	awaiting commencement	Expire on the day stated in the declaration (see s 30 (2), (4))
s 75 (4), (5), (6) def *commencement day*	commences 11 April 2027	s 75 (5)
s 124, sch 1	24 August 2016 (midnight)	s 124 (5)
s 57B (4), (5)	21 September 2012 (midnight)	s 57B (5)
s 99 (9), (10)	1 December 2006 (midnight)	s 99 (10)
s 121 (6), (7)	1 December 2006 (midnight)	s 121 (7)
s 104 (5), (6)	10 January 2006 (midnight)	s 104 (6)
s 108DB (5), (6)	10 January 2001 (midnight)	s 108DB (6)
s 128	9 June 2000 (midnight)	128 (3)
s 57D (1)	4 March 1996 (midnight)	s 57D (2)
s 57F (1)	1 January 1996 (midnight)	s 57F (2)

Amendments

For section-by-section amendment annotations, see the amendment history in the endnotes in the current version of this law.

Year and number	Amending law	Amending provision	Commencement date
A2020-42	Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2020	pt 12	28 August 2020
A1993-25	Discrimination (Amendment) Act 1993	s 4, s 5	21 May 1993
A1993-44	Acts Revision (Position of Crown) Act 1993	sch 2	27 August 1993
A1994-1	Discrimination (Amendment) Act 1994	ss 4-7	4 March 1994
A1994-11	Discrimination (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1994	s 4, s 5	14 May 1994
A1994-38	Public Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 1994	sch 1 pt 28	1 July 1994
A1994-60	Administrative Appeals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994	sch 1	14 November 1994
A1994-103	Discrimination (Amendment) Act (No 3) 1994	s 4	22 December 1994
A1995-9	Discrimination (Amendment) Act 1995	s 4, s 5	30 June 1995
A1995-25	Annual Reports (Government Agencies) (Consequential Provisions) Act 1995	sch	5 September 1995
A1995-46	Statute Law Revision Act 1995	sch	18 December 1995
A1996-67	Discrimination (Amendment) Act 1996	ss 4-15	31 December 1996
A1997-41	Remuneration Tribunal (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997	sch 1	24 September 1997
A1998-52	Building (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1998	sch	4 January 1999
A1998-54	Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998	sch	9 December 1998
A1999-22	Courts and Tribunals (Audio Visual and Audio Linking) Act 1999	s 12	1 September 1999
A1999-60	Discrimination Amendment Act 1999	ss 4-7	10 November 1999
A1999-64	Children and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	sch 2	10 May 2000
A1999-66	Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999	sch 3	10 November 1999
A1999-83	Discrimination Amendment Act (No 2) 1999	s 4	23 December 1999
A2000-2	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2000 (No 2)	sch	9 March 2000
A2000-17	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2000 (No 3)	sch 1	1 June 2000
A2000-48	Spent Convictions Act 2000	pt 5	28 March 2001
A2001-44	Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001	pt 105	12 September 2001
A2002-11	Legislation Amendment Act 2002	pt 2.16	28 May 2002
A2002-19	Discrimination Amendment Act 2002	s 4, s 5	14 June 2002
A2002-51	Criminal Code 2002	pt 1.7	1 January 2003
A2003-15	Discrimination Amendment Act 2003	ss 4-21	28 March 2003
A2003-41	Statute Law Amendment Act 2003	sch 3 pt 3.7	9 October 2003
A2003-48	Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2003	sch 2 pt 2.5	30 April 2004
A2004-2	Sexuality Discrimination Legislation Amendment Act 2004	sch 2 pt 2.3	22 March 2004
A2004-5	Human Rights Act 2004	sch 2 pt 2.2	1 July 2004
A2004-13	Construction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2004	sch 2 pt 2.7	1 September 2004
A2004-15	Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004	sch 1 pt 1.8, sch 2 pt 2.26	9 April 2004
A2004-51	Discrimination Amendment Act 2004	s 4	12 August 2004
A2004-60	Court Procedures (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004	sch 1 pt 1.22	10 January 2005
A2005-41	Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment Act 2005	sch 1 pt 1.2	1 November 2006
A2005-53	Criminal Code (Administration of Justice Offences) Amendment Act 2005	sch 1 pt 1.8	1 November 2006
A2006-22	Civil Unions Act 2006	sch 1 pt 1.9	never commenced
A2006-40	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2006	sch 2 pt 2.14	29 September 2006
A2006-47	Carers Recognition Legislation Amendment Act 2006	pt 2	28 May 2007
A2007-16	Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 2)	sch 3 pt 3.11	11 July 2007
A2007-22	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2007	sch 1 pt 1.8	6 September 2007
A2007-39	Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3)	sch 3 pt 3.9	27 December 2007
A2008-14	Civil Partnerships Act 2008	sch 1 pt 1.8	19 May 2008
A2008-27	Parental Leave Legislation Amendment Act 2008	s 4	13 August 2008
A2008-29	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 3)	sch 1 pt 1.7	27 August 2008
A2008-36	ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008	sch 1 pt 1.20	2 February 2009
A2009-36	Adoption Amendment Act 2009 (No 2)	sch 1 pt 1.3	22 April 2010
A2010-5	Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment Act 2010	pt 2	9 March 2010
A2010-43	Liquor (Consequential Amendments) Act 2010	sch 1 pt 1.8	1 December 2010
A2011-22	Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011	sch 1 pt 1.54	1 July 2011
A2011-28	Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 2)	sch 3 pt 3.8	21 September 2011
A2011-52	Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3)	sch 3 pt 3.19	12 December 2011
A2012-40	Civil Unions Act 2012	sch 3 pt 3.9	11 September 2012
A2013-39	Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013	sch 2 pt 2.9	7 November 2013
A2015-45	Spent Convictions (Historical Homosexual Convictions Extinguishment) Amendment Act 2015	sch 1 pt 1.3	7 November 2015
A2016-49	Discrimination Amendment Act 2016	pt 3	3 April 2017
A2016-49	Discrimination Amendment Act 2016	pt 2	24 August 2016
A2018-48	Discrimination Amendment Act 2018	ss 4-7	29 April 2019
A2019-17	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2019	sch 1 pt 1.2	21 June 2019
A2019-35	Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2019	pt 4	10 April 2020
A2023-7	Discrimination Amendment Act 2023	ss 4-34	11 April 2024
A2023-57	Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (No 3)	pt 6	11 April 2024