Human Resources

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities

Human Rights Charter for Victoria banner

 

 

 

 

Human rights are essential in a democratic society – they are entitlements that belong to every human being regardless of age, sex or culture.

The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities is an Act of Parliament which came into effect on 1 January 2007.  Victoria is the first Australian state to provide for formal protection of civil and political human rights. The Charter contains 20 rights that reflect four basic principles: Freedom, Respect, Equality and Dignity.

The Charter aims to improve service delivery and ensure transparent decision making by promoting a human rights culture across government in Victoria.

From 1 January 2008 all Victorian government departments and public authorities must act compatibly with the Charter and take human rights into account when making decisions, providing advice or services, or taking action in their day-to-day work.  Government schools, school councils, DEECD corporate staff, statutory authorities and private sector organisations carrying out public functions on behalf of government, are all public authorities under the Charter. 

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Training Module for all DEECD staff

The Charter of Human Rights Training Module has been designed to assist all DEECD staff in understanding their responsibilities and their rights under the Charter.  The Module takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes to complete including the short quiz which must be completed with the Module.  As part of our commitment to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities all DEECD staff are expected to complete the Training Module. 

For technical assistance, contact the ELMO helpdesk

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Implementation Guide for DEECD Policy Officers

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Implementation Guide for DEECD Policy Officers (PDF - 1.2Mb) – (the Implementation Guide) has been developed to assist policy officers to identify the impact of the Charter on policy development within DEECD. Specifically, the Implementation Guide has been designed to equip DEECD policy officers with the necessary information to integrate human rights considerations into DEECD policy development.  They are also intended to assist program managers to assess whether their programs are delivered in a way that is consistent with the Charter. 

If you are interested in training in the use of this Implementation Guide please contact the Conduct and Ethics Branch on ph: 9637 2595 or email human.rights.charter@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Indigenous Rights

The Charter is founded on the principle that human rights have 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 land and waters.

The Department has a number of strategies to support Aboriginal children and young people.

Dardee Boorai:  Children and Young People's Charter

Dardee Boorai: the Victorian Charter of Safety and Wellbeing for Aboriginal Children and Young People is a statement of a shared commitment between community and government.  It affirms the strength and resilience of Victoria’s Aboriginal culture, communities and families.  Dardee Boorai sets out shared values and principles and commits to improving outcomes for Victoria’s Aboriginal children and young people.  Dardee Boorai means strong children.

Dardee Boorai: the Victorian Charter of Safety and Wellbeing for Aboriginal Children and Young People

Wannik:  Education Strategy for Koorie Students

Wannik, our Department's Education Strategy for Koorie Students in Victoria, represents a new era of collaboration in Victoria where the system will reposition the education of Koorie students within all of our schools through strong leadership that creates a culture of high expectations and individualised learning for Koorie students.  The overarching principle of the strategy is about delivering the best possible education to Victoria’s Koorie students.  Wannik, from the Gunai/Kurnai language, means Learning Together - Journey to Our Future.

Wannik: Education Strategy for Koorie Students

The Human Rights Portal

What is the Portal?

The Human Rights Portal is a joint initiative from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and the Department of Justice Human Rights unit.  It is designed to be a convenient online resource for Victorian Public Servants to access Charter information from one place.  It can be an invaluable tool to help public servants develop a human rights culture in the work place.

The Portal aims to provide extensive information on the Charter and human rights for government staff, particularly those who develop policy and legislation or provide legal advice on Charter issues.  It is also a useful resource for Victorian Public Servants with an interest in human rights and the Charter who want to find out more.

Who can use it?

The portal is available to Victorian Public Servants and Statutory Authorities who needs to access information on human rights and the Charter.   There is a log-on and password set out below.   The password and log-on should not distributed beyond government at this stage.  

What Information can be found on the Portal?

The Portal explains the Charter, what it is, how it works and why that particular model of rights protection was chosen.   It also outlines how the Charter operates to require Victorian Public Servants to have an obligation to consider human rights in their work.

The Portal also has an online version of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Guidelines for Legislation and Policy Officers in Victoria. (The Guidelines)  This is a comprehensive document on understanding the Charter rights and how to apply them when developing legislation, programs and policy.  The Guidelines explain how to apply the Charter, how to prepare statements of compatibility and human rights certificates and how to “vet” proposed policy and legislation for compatibility with the Charter. 

There is also a Register of Statements of Compatibility which analyses which rights have been raised and/or limited and has links to all Statements tabled to date.

In addition, there are links to useful human rights websites, Charter cases, and relevant legislation.  A glossary explains commonly used human rights terms.   There will also be news on training, seminars and other human rights events. 

The Portal website address is:  https://humanrights.vgso.vic.gov.au

Username:  FRED
Password: CHARTER 

Other Resources

 For more information go to:

DEECD Human Rights Representatives

 

back to top