Brenda’s experience trying to rent a house
‘It’s been so difficult for me to find the right home for me and my children.
To be told I was not able to rent this home because I am a single mum was a huge blow.’
Our services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
If you’re Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, find out how we can support you at the Commission.
We are committed to providing a culturally safe and inclusive experience for you when you contact us. We embrace self-determination and enable you to feel empowered and have an equitable voice.
Artwork: Last Connection by Alfred Carter (Gunaikurnai)
How can we support you?
We can listen to your story and provide you with information about your rights under our laws.
You can contact us by:
- Phone: 1300 292 153 – weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm
- Email: Send us an email with your issue and whether you would like to speak with an Aboriginal staff member
- Online chat: Available weekdays from 10 am – 4 pm
- Online complaint form
- Letter: VEOHRC, Level 3, 204 Lygon Street Carlton Victoria 3053
We can support you if you have been treated badly or unfairly in your employment, goods and service, education, accommodation, or sport because of your:
- race
- disability
- age
- sex, pregnancy, parental/carer status
- sexual orientation
- physical features
- or another characteristic of unlawful discrimination covered under the law.
We can also provide support if you have:
- experienced sexual harassment
- been vilified because of your race or religious belief
- been victimised – treated badly or unfairly because you have made a complaint.
You may have experienced something personally, seen something happen or you may want to ask questions on behalf of someone else.
What happens when you contact the Commission?
We will:
- ask if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander at the start of our conversation with you
- ask if you want to speak to somebody about your rights
- ask if you want to talk directly to a dedicated staff member or an Aboriginal staff member (if one is available)
- provide information about our services
- ask if you would need support to draft a complaint or show you how to make a complaint via our website if you don’t need any assistance.
We may also provide you with a referral to a range of Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal organisations and services to support you in whatever way is most helpful to you.
We will talk to you about any specific needs you might have to:
- feel culturally safe
- make any adjustments you might need for your disability (if required)
- ensure flexibility you might need given family, community, and other commitments.
What is conciliation?
When you make a complaint, we will take it through our conciliation process with both sides of the complaint involved.
Conciliation involves a Commission staff member – called a conciliator – who supports people to explore ways and options to resolve a dispute or issue.
How does conciliation work?
You can make your own decision on how conciliation would work best for you.
One option is for us to run a conciliation conference. This is an informal meeting of everyone involved held by phone, video or in person (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).
If it suits everyone, conciliation can be done without a conference or meeting, with the conciliator sharing information between those involved.
We ensure conciliation processes are conducted in a way that is respectful, safe, flexible, and supportive to everyone involved.
When conciliation has ended, we will follow up with you to ask if you would like to share with us what your experience of our dispute resolution process was like. For example:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
- Did you feel culturally safe?
- How could we improve?
We will do everything to ensure your complaint progresses as quickly as possible. You can have a support person throughout dispute resolution such as a friend, family member or Elder.
Our processes are voluntary. If you are not able to continue at any stage, we will talk with you about your options and any assistance that may be available. You will always be able to return to us, if, and when you are ready to go ahead.
What outcomes are available?
You can ask for outcomes that are important for you and your community. Some examples are:
- telling your story and being heard
- an acknowledgement of your experience
- an apology made to you or within the community
- a promise to change or stop the behaviour that has affected you
- compensation
- being given your job back
- a statement of service or reference
- accessing a service
- cultural awareness or cultural safety training
- training in equal opportunity laws so they know the behaviour should not happen again
- reviewing and updating equal opportunity and diversity policies.
More support and services
We can give you information about Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, but we do not handle complaints related to the Charter.
If you think your human rights have been breached, you should contact the Victorian Ombudsman.
If you want to make a complaint about police conduct, contact the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
These organisations may be able to support you further:
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Legal advice for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
Victoria Legal Aid
Legal advice. State-wide support.
