Disability discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably, or not given the same opportunities as others in a similar situation because of their disability. It can be direct or indirect.
Workplace discrimination is against the law. There are anti-discrimination laws that apply to both paid and unpaid workers.
Workplace discrimination can happen at any stage, from hiring or engaging a worker, during the period of work, through to decisions about ending work. It may relate to what role a person is offered, how much they’re paid, or whether or not they’re promoted or re-contracted.
Learn more about workplace discrimination.
Sometimes a person is right for a job because they have a particular attribute. Sometimes a more equitable workplace means making accommodations for people with particular attributes. These are known as reasonable adjustments.
Learn more about reasonable adjustments.
Keep learning:
Accessible recruitment
We recommend the Disability Arts Online (UK) Guide to Accessible Recruitment .
It offers general, practical information to support organisations to adopt accessible recruitment and employment practices. (Watch out for the references to UK laws. These don't apply in Australia.)
Disability Arts Online is a UK-based organisation led by disabled people and committed to increasing access to the arts and culture sector.
More in this section:
Reasonable adjustments
Reasonable adjustments are changes to work processes, practices or environments, to ensure workers with disability can perform their job, free from barriers.
The Arts and Disability Associated Plan
In 2024, the Australian Government committed to a four-year plan to improve equity in cultural and creative life for d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers, and audiences with disability. The Plan recognises that d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers as central to our vibrant arts and cultural sector.
National Arts and Disability Code of Practice
Coming soon, a new National Arts and Disability Code of Practice and/or appropriate Guidelines will set access and representation expectations for the arts, cultural, screen and digital games sectors.
