The
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter) is a simple but important law that sets out our freedoms, rights and responsibilities. The Charter’s purpose is to protect and promote human rights by recognising that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The Charter helps to protect people from injustice and allows everyone to participate in and contribute to society. It enshrines basic civil and political rights in law, and requires public authorities, including government schools, and their employees to act compatibly with human rights and to consider human rights when making decisions and delivering services.
The concept of human rights acknowledges that every human being is entitled to enjoy his or her human rights without distinction as to race, colour, sex, language religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The charter protects the civil and political human rights of all people in Victoria by requiring laws to be developed and interpreted consistently with human rights and by requiring Victorian Government and public authorities to act consistently with human rights.
The Charter is based on the following principles:
- Human rights are essential in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rule of law, human dignity, equality and freedom
- Human rights belong to all people without discrimination, and the diversity of the people of Victoria enhances our community
- Human rights come with responsibilities and must be exercised in a way that respects the human rights of others
- Human rights have a special importance for the Aboriginal people of Victoria, as descendants of Australia’s first people, with their diverse spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters.
Schools should aim to protect and promote the twenty rights outlined in the Charter.
For more information on the rights outlined in the Charter, see:
Rights under the Charter
Some examples of Charter rights that may be applicable in schools include:
Equality before the law
- built environment & accessibility
- equal opportunity policies
- fair decision making processes
Protection of families and children
- decisions that may affect family life
- child protection issues
Freedom of expression
- valuing expression of opinions
Cultural rights
- valuing diversity
- language programs
Privacy and reputation
- student privacy
- records management
For more detail about implications of the Charter for principals and schools, see
Human Resources - Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities