(b) Key elements of a special measure –
federal law
(c) Key elements of a special measure –
other jurisdictions
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, the
The core elements of a special measure are
elements of a special measure are:
essentially the same under all federal, state
• the measure must be reasonably
intended to
and territory anti-discrimination laws except
NSW. However, the wording of the criteria in
the legislation of each jurisdiction differs
– ensure that persons who have a
disability have equal opportunities
with other persons in areas of public
life covered by the Disability
Discrimination Act (in this case,
employment), or
slightly.22
Importantly, there is no relevant ‘special
measures’ exception under the AntiDiscrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (the NSW
Act). In some circumstances, employers
wanting to conduct targeted recruitment for
– afford persons with disability, or a
people with disability in NSW may have to
particular disability, goods or access
apply for a statutory exemption from the
to facilities, services or opportunities
NSW Act.23
(or grants, benefits or programs)20 to
meet their special needs in relation
to:
In addition, in Tasmania, the AntiDiscrimination Commissioner encourages
employers to seek a statutory exemption for
> employment, education,
accommodation, clubs, or sport, or
> the provision of goods, services,
facilities or land, or
a targeted short-term recruitment
strategy.24 The NSW and Tasmanian
requirements are discussed in Parts 6.1 and
6.2 below.
> the making available of facilities, or
> the administration of
Commonwealth laws and
programs, or
> their capacity to live independently.
A targeted recruitment strategy can be an
example of a ‘special measure’, provided
that it meets the legislative requirements of
• However
– any discriminatory effect of the
measure must be necessary for
implementing the special measure,
and
– the exemption for special measures
does not apply in relation to the rates
of salary or wages paid to persons
with disability (which are dealt with
elsewhere in the Disability
Discrimination Act).21
(d) Could a targeted recruitment
strategy be a special measure?
a ‘special measure’ under the federal
Disability Discrimination Act and applicable
state or territory anti-discrimination law
provisions.
If a program like a targeted recruitment
strategy is a ‘special measure’, then it does
not amount to unlawful discrimination
under federal, state or territory antidiscrimination law (noting that there is no
‘special measure’ provision in the relevant
New South Wales law).25
Guidelines for the targeted recruitment of people with disability | 24