1. About the Guidelines
1.1 Nature of the Guidelines
However, in the view of the Commission and
The Australian Human Rights Commission
detailed documentation gathered in
(the Commission) has prepared the
accordance with the Guidelines will help
Guidelines in the exercise of its function
employers establish that their targeted
under section 67(1)(k) of the Disability
recruitment strategy is a special measure,
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its state and territory counterpart bodies,
Discrimination Act. The Guidelines have
and consistent with the Disability
been prepared in consultation with the
Discrimination Act, and state and territory
Commission’s state and territory
anti-discrimination laws (other than in NSW
counterpart bodies.
– see Part 6.1 below).
The Guidelines are not legally binding and
It should also be noted that it is rare for the
should be read in conjunction with the
Commission or its state and territory
whole of the Disability Discrimination Act,
counterpart bodies to receive complaints
and state and territory anti-discrimination
about targeted recruitment strategies for
laws. An organisation or individual may not
people with disability. At the federal level,
be protected from a finding of unlawful
few complaints about targeted recruitment
discrimination if they claim that they
strategies for people with disability have
conformed with, or relied on, the Guidelines.
been received and, at the time of
Organisations or individuals should seek
publication of the Guidelines, none have
their own independent legal advice if they
proceeded to court.
have concerns regarding their compliance
with the Disability Discrimination Act or with
relevant state or territory anti-discrimination
legislation.
Guidelines for the targeted recruitment of people with disability | 13