Where can discrimination occur?

Discrimination is unlawful if it happens in the following areas:

Work

You are  protected from discrimination in the workforce by law, including full time, part time, casual or contract work. You’re also covered while on  probation.

All stages of employment are covered by Territory law, from job advertisements, applications and job offers, to probation periods and promotions, training, transfers and dismissal.

Goods, services and facilities

All Territorians have equal rights when accessing goods, services and facilities. Discrimination happens if someone withholds these things from you on the  grounds of race, age, sex or another attribute. Offering different terms and conditions on these grounds is also illegal.

This area includes:

• shops and restaurants
• transport and travel
• sale and leasing of land
• any profession, trade or business
• access to and use of public places
• councils and government departments
• entertainment, sport and recreation
• banking, hire purchase and finance companies
• accommodation
• education
• registered clubs that serve alcohol
• insurance and superannuation.

As of 3 July 2023 those receiving and providing a service will be covered by the law. Prior to 3 July 2023 only people receiving a service are protected by the law.

Accommodation

Whether you are renting a room or staying in a holiday unit, everyone should be treated  fairly when accessing accommodation. It’s against the law to deny someone a place to live or stay on the grounds of race, age, sex or another attribute. The law includes:

• applications for accommodation
• sale terms and conditions
• waiting lists.

The law  doesn’t cover renting rooms to people in the home where you live.

Education

All Territorians have the right to equal access to education. It’s against the law  to refuse entry to a course, facility or benefit, or to expel a student on the grounds of an attribute, such as race, gender or age.

Single sex schools are allowed to select male or female only students and religious schools may limit enrolment to students of that religion.

From 3 July 2023 Education includes child care centres and education while in custody.

Insurance and superannuation

It may be against  the law to refuse someone insurance or superannuation on the grounds of an attribute such as race, age or sex, unless this is based on statistical information or is permitted by law.

Clubs

It can be illegal to refuse someone membership to a club on the grounds of race, age, sex or another attribute. Keep in mind, clubs are allowed to cater for specific groups of people, such as an age, race or gender identity, or for people with a disability.

A club must have more than 30 members. As of 3 July 2023 clubs will not be limited to those who sell or supply liquor. A club can also be a service provider. This will mean many clubs that were not previously covered by the law now are.

Administration of laws and Government programs

As of 3 July 2023 this will be a new area. It will cover situations such as action of police, correctional facilities and other government programs.

Discrimination that happens in the home or in your private life isn’t covered by the Act.