What is the time limit on making a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission?

• You have 12 months after the alleged discrimination occurred to lodge a complaint.
• After this time the Australian Human Rights Commission can decide not to investigate your complaint. This is to encourage prompt action on your behalf.
• The Australian Human Rights Commission can choose to still investigate your complaint despite its late lodgement.
• If you lodge a complaint outside the 12 month timeframe make sure you include reasons for the delay on the form.
• Reasons might include:
  • you were not aware of your rights until now;
  • you were not aware that the alleged discrimination was unlawful until now;
  • you were misinformed about your options until now;
  • you have been overseas for an extended period of time; or
  • you were dealing with other serious issues at the time which inhibited you from going through the complaint process (such as caring for a sick relative).
• There is no guarantee that these reasons will be sufficient to justify your late lodgement of a complaint. The decision is entirely up to the Australian Human Rights Commission.