Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 68, 2004
Compilation No. 54
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 39, 2024
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Objects
4 Simplified outline
6 Age discrimination not to include disability discrimination
7 Meaning of act--omission to act
8 Commonwealth taken to be employer
Part 2--Application and constitutional provisions
9 Geographical application of Act
10 Application of Act--constitutional powers
11 Compensation--constitutional safety net
12 Operation of State and Territory laws
13 Extent to which Act binds the Crown
Part 3--Concept of age discrimination
14 Discrimination on the ground of age--direct discrimination
15 Discrimination on the ground of age--indirect discrimination
16 Act done because of age and for other reason
Part 4--Unlawful age discrimination etc.
Division 1--Simplified outline
17 Simplified outline
Division 2--Discrimination in work
18 Discrimination in employment
19 Discrimination against commission agents
20 Discrimination against contract workers
21 Partnerships
22 Qualifying bodies
23 Registered organisations under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009
24 Employment agencies
25 Exemption for youth wages
Division 3--Discrimination in other areas
26 Education
27 Access to premises
28 Goods, services and facilities
29 Accommodation
30 Land
31 Administration of Commonwealth laws and programs
32 Requests for information
Division 4--General exemptions
33 Positive discrimination
34 Charities
35 Religious bodies
36 Voluntary bodies
37 Superannuation, insurance and credit--actuarial data etc.
38 Superannuation legislation
39 Direct compliance with laws, orders etc.
40 Taxation laws
41 Pensions, allowances and benefits etc.
41A Commonwealth employment programs
42 Health
43 Migration and citizenship etc.
Division 5--Exemptions granted by Commission
44 Commission may grant exemptions
45 Review by Administrative Review Tribunal
46 Notice of decisions to be published
47 Effect of exemptions
Division 6--Victimisation
47A Victimisation
Part 5--Offences
Division 1--General rules relating to offences
48 Application of the Criminal Code
49 Unlawful act not offence unless expressly provided
Division 2--Specific offences
50 Advertisements
51 Victimisation
52 Failure to disclose source of actuarial or statistical data
Part 6--Functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission
53 Functions of the Commission
Part 6A--Age Discrimination Commissioner
53A Age Discrimination Commissioner
53B Terms and conditions of appointment
53C Remuneration of Commissioner
53D Leave of absence
53E Outside employment
53F Resignation
53G Termination of appointment
53H Acting Commissioner
Part 7--Miscellaneous
54 Power to require source of actuarial data or statistical data
55 Delegation
56 Liability of persons involved in unlawful acts
57 Conduct by directors, employees and agents
58 Protection from civil actions
59 Unlawful act not basis of civil action unless expressly so provided
60 Non-disclosure of private information
61 Regulations
Schedule 1--Laws for which an exemption is provided by subsection 39(1)
Schedule 2--Provisions of laws for which an exemption is provided by subsection 39(1A)
Endnotes
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
Abbreviation key--Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.
ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
amdt = amendment | orig = original |
c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub-subparagraph(s) |
Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
Dict = Dictionary | (prev ... ) = previously |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
effect | rep = repealed |
F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
Sdiv = Subdivision(s) | |
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s) |
cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
68, 2004 | 22 June 2004 | 23 June 2004 (s 2) |
| |
40, 2004 | 21 Apr 2004 | Sch 2 (items 1-21): never commenced (s 2(1) item 5) | Sch. 2 (items 18, 19, 21) | |
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 | 52, 2004 | 27 Apr 2004 | Sch 3 (items 7A, 7B): 1 July 2004 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- |
111, 2005 | 6 Sept 2005 | Sch 2 (items 82, 83): 1 Oct 2005 (s 2(1) item 7) | -- | |
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2006 | 7, 2006 | 7 Mar 2006 | Sch 1 (items 2, 3) and Sch 2 (items 13-19): 13 Mar 2006 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (items 13-19) |
63, 2006 | 22 June 2006 | 22 June 2006 (s 2) | -- | |
125, 2006 | 4 Nov 2006 | Sch 1 (items 88, 89): 1 July 2007 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Act 2007 | 21, 2007 | 15 Mar 2007 | Sch 1 (item 2) and Sch 3 (items 14, 16): 1 July 2007 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 3 (items 14, 16) |
Private Health Insurance (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2007 | 32, 2007 | 30 Mar 2007 | Sch 2 (item 1): 1 Apr 2007 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- |
60, 2007 | 15 Apr 2007 | Sch 2 (item 17): 15 Apr 2007 (s 2) | -- | |
42, 2008 | 25 June 2008 | Sch 1 (item 1): 26 June 2008 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
73, 2008 | 3 July 2008 | Sch 3 (item 25): 3 July 2008 (s 2(1) item 63) | -- | |
Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws--General Law Reform) Act 2008 | 144, 2008 | 9 Dec 2008 | Sch 2 (items 4-8): 10 Dec 2008 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- |
Fair Work (State Referral and Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2009 | 54, 2009 | 25 June 2009 | Sch 5 (items 1-3, 60-64): 1 July 2009 (s 2(1) items 11, 13) | -- |
66, 2009 | 1 July 2009 | Sch 1 (item 1): 1 July 2009 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009 | 70, 2009 | 8 July 2009 | Sch 1 and Sch 3 (items 1-13): 5 Aug 2009 (s 2(1) items 2, 7) | Sch 1 (item 2) |
Fair Work Amendment (State Referrals and Other Measures) Act 2009 | 124, 2009 | 9 Dec 2009 | Sch 2 (item 122): 1 Jan 2010 (s 2(1) item 10) | -- |
8, 2010 | 1 Mar 2010 | Sch 5 (item 1): 1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1) item 31) | -- | |
32, 2011 | 25 May 2011 | Sch 4 (items 16-18): 1 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- | |
40, 2011 | 20 June 2011 | Sch 2 (items 1-6): 29 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- | |
Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment (Child Care and Other Measures) Act 2011 | 79, 2011 | 25 July 2011 | Sch 4 (items 1, 2): 26 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- |
26, 2012 | 4 Apr 2012 | Sch 1 (items 1, 48(1)): 1 July 2012 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 48(1)) | |
129, 2012 | 13 Sept 2012 | Sch 2 (item 6): 1 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
136, 2012 | 22 Sept 2012 | Sch 4 (items 1-3, 50): 22 Sept 2012 (s 2(1) item 35) | Sch 4 (item 50) | |
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2012 | 169, 2012 | 3 Dec 2012 | Sch 2 (items 143-145): 3 Dec 2012 (s 2(1) item 7) | -- |
Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013 | 13, 2013 | 14 Mar 2013 | Sch 1 (item 26): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
National Disability Insurance Scheme Legislation Amendment Act 2013 | 44, 2013 | 28 May 2013 | Sch 2 (items 4, 5): 29 May 2013 (s 2(1) item 12) | -- |
Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2013 | 96, 2013 | 28 June 2013 | Sch 1 (item 4): 1 Jan 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Farm Household Support (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014 | 13, 2014 | 28 Mar 2014 | Sch 2 (item 3): 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- |
59, 2015 | 26 May 2015 | Sch 1 (items 184-203): 27 May 2015 (s 2(1) item 3) | Sch 1 (items 184-203) and Sch 2 (items 356-396) | |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
33, 2016 | 23 Mar 2016 | Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 6): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
164, 2015 | 2 Dec 2015 | Sch 2 (items 1-4, 80): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (item 80) | |
Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment (Injury Compensation Scheme) Act 2016 | 16, 2016 | 8 Mar 2016 | Sch 2: 9 May 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017 | 38, 2017 | 19 May 2017 | Sch 1 (item 22) and Sch 3 (items 1-5, 8, 11): 1 Jan 2018 (s 2(1) items 3, 5) | Sch 3 (items 1-5, 8, 11) |
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Defence Force) Act 2017 | 108, 2017 | 14 Sept 2017 | Sch 3 (items 2, 3): 12 Oct 2017 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- |
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Act 2018 | 2, 2018 | 20 Feb 2018 | Sch 3 (item 3): 21 Feb 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Consequential Amendments) Act 2018 | 46, 2018 | 21 June 2018 | Sch 5: 1 July 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
101, 2018 | 21 Sept 2018 | Sch 2 (items 3, 4): 1 Apr 2019 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 4 | |
Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 | 156, 2018 | 10 Dec 2018 | Sch 2 (item 3) and Sch 4: 20 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) items 2, 4) | Sch 4 |
Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 | 164, 2018 | 10 Dec 2018 | Sch 4 (item 1): 11 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 4) | -- |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Amendment Act 2022 | 17, 2022 | 1 Apr 2022 | Sch 1 (item 1): 1 Apr 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
Medical and Midwife Indemnity Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | 105, 2019 | 28 Nov 2019 | Sch 2 (items 17, 20): 1 July 2020 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (item 20) |
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Act 2020 | 11, 2020 | 6 Mar 2020 | Sch 2 (item 1) and Sch 4 (items 2-7): 1 July 2020 (s 2(1) items 2, 5) | Sch 4 (items 2-7) |
18, 2020 | 6 Mar 2020 | Sch 1 (items 1-10): 6 Sept 2020 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- | |
13, 2021 | 1 Mar 2021 | Sch 2 (item 63): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Age of Dependants) Act 2021 | 60, 2021 | 29 June 2021 | Sch 1 (item 1): 1 Apr 2021 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Act 2021 | 123, 2021 | 2 Dec 2021 | Sch 1 (item 10): 3 Dec 2021 (s 2(1) item 4) | -- |
Parliamentary Workplace Reform (Set the Standard Measures No. 1) Act 2022 | 7, 2022 | 22 Feb 2022 | Sch 3 (items 1, 2): 23 Feb 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Act 2022 | 48, 2022 | 9 Nov 2022 | Sch 1 (items 1-4, 26): 10 Nov 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | Sch 1 (item 26) |
Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 | 85, 2022 | 12 Dec 2022 | Sch 7 (items 1-6, 17, 18): 13 Dec 2022 (s 2(1) item 6) | Sch 7 (items 17, 18) |
57, 2023 | 21 Aug 2023 | Sch 1 (item 36): 22 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- | |
71, 2023 | 19 Sept 2023 | Sch 4 (items 2, 3): 17 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Disability Services and Inclusion (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 | 103, 2023 | 28 Nov 2023 | Sch 2 (items 3, 46): 1 Jan 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (item 46) |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Act 2024 | 39, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 2 (items 4-7): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Number and year | FRLI registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
50, 2006 | 17 Mar 2006 (F2006L00820) | Sch 30: 27 Mar 2006 (r 2(b)) | -- |
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
s 4..................... | am No 70, 2009; No 40, 2011; No 85, 2022 |
s 5..................... | am No 54, 2009; No 70, 2009; No 32, 2011; No 40, 2011; No 169, 2012; No 59, 2015; No 164, 2015; No 7, 2022; No 71, 2023 |
Part 2 |
|
s 10.................... | am No 70, 2009; No 8, 2010 |
s 12.................... | am No 70, 2009 |
s 13.................... | am No 59, 2015 |
Part 3 |
|
s 16.................... | rs No 70, 2009 |
Part 4 |
|
Part 4 heading............. | am No 85, 2022 |
Division 1 |
|
s 17.................... | am No 85, 2022 |
Division 2 |
|
s 23.................... | am No 54, 2009 |
Division 3 |
|
s 29.................... | am No 144, 2008 |
Division 4 |
|
s 33.................... | am No 63, 2006 |
s 34.................... | am No 169, 2012; No 96, 2013 |
s 36.................... | am No 54, 2009 |
s 38.................... | am No 63, 2006 |
s 39.................... | am SLI No 50, 2006; No 63, 2006; No 54, 2009; No 70, 2009; No 124, 2009; No 126, 2015; No 18, 2020 |
s 41.................... | am No 52, 2004; No 63, 2006; No 60, 2007; No 79, 2011; No 44, 2013; No 13, 2014; No 108, 2017; No 123, 2021; No 103, 2023 |
s 41A................... | ad No 63, 2006 |
s 42.................... | am No 111, 2005; No 32, 2011 |
s 43.................... | am No 21, 2007 |
s 45.................... | am No 39, 2024 |
s 46.................... | am No 39, 2024 |
Division 6 |
|
Division 6................ | ad No 85, 2022 |
s 47A................... | ad No 85, 2022 |
Part 5 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 49.................... | am No 85, 2022 |
Division 2 |
|
s 50.................... | am No 70, 2009 |
s 51.................... | am No 70, 2009; No 85, 2022 |
Part 6 |
|
Part 6 heading............. | rs No 70, 2009 |
s 53.................... | am No 70, 2009 |
Part 6A |
|
Part 6A.................. | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53A................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
| am No 48, 2022 |
s 53B................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
| am No 48, 2022 |
s 53C................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53D................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53E................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53F................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53G................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
s 53H................... | ad No 40, 2011 |
| am No 136, 2012 |
Part 7 |
|
s 55.................... | am No 40, 2011 |
s 58.................... | am No 40, 2011 |
s 60.................... | am No 70, 2009; No 40, 2011 |
Schedule 1 |
|
Schedule 1................ | am No 7, 2006; No 63, 2006; No 125, 2006; No 73, 2008; No 54, 2009; No 26, 2012; No 13, 2013; No 164, 2015; No 16, 2016; No 38, 2017; No 108, 2017; No 2, 2018; No 46, 2018; No 156, 2018; No 164, 2018; No 11, 2020; No 18, 2020; No 13, 2021; No 57, 2023; No 39, 2024 |
Schedule 2 |
|
Schedule 2................ | ad No 63, 2006 |
| am No 32, 2007; No 42, 2008; No 66, 2009; No 129, 2012; No 101, 2018; No 105, 2019; No 18, 2020; No 60, 2021 |