Community Legal Centres NSW made a submission to the Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) in September 2025.
Our submission adheres closely to our preliminary submission to the Commission’s Review, which was based on views collected through sector-wide consultation.
Community Legal Centres NSW recommends that the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (The Act) is modernised and simplified to ensure that it effectively promotes the equal enjoyment of rights, aligns with contemporary community standards and contributes to a more just and inclusive society.
Efforts should be made to harmonise definitions and standards of prohibited discrimination across state and federal anti-discrimination laws. This alignment ensures that similar conduct is treated consistently, regardless of the jurisdiction in which a complaint is filed. Harmonisation can also reduce legal complexity and enhance clarity for both complainants and respondents.
The Act should be designed to be flexible enough to adapt to evolving societal standards and emerging forms of discrimination. This includes incorporating protections for LGBTQI people and older people, recognising that discrimination can take new forms and affect different groups over time. Ensuring that the Act remains relevant in the face of changing social norms and demographics and emergent scholarship is essential.
Read our submission to the Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).