Know Your Rights — Australia
Your rights in Australia, in plain language — federal law plus the state differences that actually affect you.
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Understanding Australia's Legal System
Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. Federal law (Commonwealth) covers immigration, tax, corporations, and consumer protection — most workplace law sits under the Fair Work Act 2009 enforced by the Fair Work Commission, and consumer rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 enforced by the ACCC. States handle most criminal law, property, and tenancy. Where federal and state law clash, federal wins (Constitution s109).
Australia has no national bill of rights — protections come from a mix of the Constitution, federal and state statutes, and common law. Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT have their own human rights charters; other states don't. This guide covers federal baselines and flags the state divergences that matter most.
Browse by Category
Workers' Rights
Fair Work Act protections, National Employment Standards, minimum wage, unfair dismissal, leave, and workplace safety in Australia.
Police Encounters
Rights during arrest, detention, searches, right to a lawyer, bail, and police complaints in Australia.
Housing Rights
Commonwealth Rent Assistance, First Home Guarantee, housing discrimination, and home loan protections in Australia.
Tax Rights
ATO audits, income tax, GST, deductions, objections, appeals, and taxpayer protections in Australia.
Family Law
Divorce, parenting orders, property division, spousal maintenance, family violence, and child support in Australia.
Consumer Rights
Australian Consumer Law guarantees, refunds, product safety, unfair contract terms, and ACCC complaints.
Immigration Rights
Visa types, protection visas, work rights, visa cancellation, detention, merits review, and citizenship in Australia.
Healthcare Rights
Medicare, PBS, informed consent, aged care, mental health, private health insurance, and patient complaints in Australia.
Immigration Pathways
Australian work visas, family sponsorship, student visas, permanent residency, citizenship, and humanitarian pathways.
How It Works
Find your situation
Browse categories or search for the issue you're facing — employment, housing, police encounters, taxes, and more.
Understand your rights
Read a plain-language summary of your rights under Australian federal law — based on Commonwealth Acts of Parliament and official guidance.
Take action
Get clear next steps: what to say, what to file, who to contact, and where to find legal help if you need it.