Carer, Parent and Family Discrimination

When are employees protected against discrimination?

Federal and state anti-discrimination laws make it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of their parental status, carer status or family responsibilities in the area of employment, and cover employees and independent contractors. They protect workers from discrimination at all stages of employment, including:

• before employment, including how positions are advertised, how interviews are conducted, whether employment is offered and on what terms;
• during employment, including being given less favourable terms or conditions of employment, being demoted, denied training opportunities, promotion, transfers, performance pay or other employment-related benefits; and
• at the end of employment, including being selected for redundancy or dismissed.

What action can I take?

If you have been dismissed from your job or other discriminatory conduct has occurred because of your parental status, carer status or family responsibilities, you may be able to make a state or federal discrimination complaint.

For more information about carer, parent and family discrimination, we recommend you download the ‘Carer, Parent and Family Discrimination’ Fact Sheet.

For further support

Call our Telephone Information Service on Melbourne Metro (03) 9662 1933 or Regional Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania on 1800 331 617.