Rainbow Families Australia has published Thriving Families, Unequal Burdens, a national study of LGBTQIA+ families based on a survey run between November 2025 and March 2026. Most families described their home lives positively, with high rates of reported happiness, strong extended family contact and stable housing. However, a smaller group faced greater stress, and more than one in three reported exclusion, bullying or discrimination, particularly outside major cities. Health services, including maternity and IVF care, were identified as areas where many families felt excluded.
The Western Australian government will introduce legislation to protect LGBTQIA+ students and teachers from discrimination, harassment and vilification in religious schools. Premier Roger Cook and Attorney-General Tony Buti announced the Equal Opportunity Bill 2026, which they describe as the most significant reform of the state's anti-discrimination framework in almost half a century. Under the bill, religious schools could no longer sack teachers or expel students because of their sexuality. Religious institutions would still be allowed to discriminate based on religion. Advocacy groups welcomed the announcement.
Western Australia will propose new laws to prevent religious schools from firing teachers or expelling students based on their sexuality or disability. The changes will allow discrimination only on religious grounds. Attorney General Tony Buti said the bill is the biggest overhaul of the state's anti-discrimination laws in over 40 years. It also aims to protect homeless people, those exposed to domestic violence, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and union members.
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Five federal commissioners have written to the Northern Territory Government about the closure of the YiSSA short-term accommodation facility in Darwin. They are concerned about residents in vulnerable situations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women and children escaping family violence, and children needing education. The commissioners have asked Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro for an urgent meeting. They also raised questions about whether a new site at Batchelor, which opened on 12 October 2026, can meet residents' needs, including medical care for some residents with chronic conditions.
More than 100 women have told Four Corners they lost work after becoming pregnant or having a child. Abby McCawley says she was fired from her role at Ray White Brunswick in Melbourne's inner north, a day after a company post had praised her. The real estate agency says her employment ended over workplace behaviour, a claim she disputes. She is now suing in the Federal Court. Lawyers say pregnant workers face daunting hurdles, and advocates are calling for stronger legal protections.
New rules to make public transport more accessible took effect today under the Australian Government's push to remove discrimination against people with disability. The changes cover staff training, information sharing and design requirements for vehicles, buildings and infrastructure across the whole journey. Bus, tram, train, light rail, ferry, taxi and aviation operators must implement the requirements, with some due within five or 10 years and others when they upgrade or buy new assets. Updated guidance and summaries in Auslan and Easy Read formats are available. Separate work on aviation-specific standards continues.
Independent MP Allegra Spender has introduced a federal bill to strengthen protections for LGBTQIA+ students and staff at religious schools. The bill would remove federal exemptions that allow schools to treat people differently because of sexuality or gender identity. Schools could still prefer applicants who share their faith when hiring, and teach according to their beliefs. Labor promised similar reforms in 2022 but has not introduced them, citing the need for Coalition support. The bill has no confirmed date for debate or a vote.
Indigenous leaders and social welfare advocates accuse the federal government of breaking its 2022 election promise by expanding mandatory income management through the BasicsCard and SmartCard. They warn the policy disproportionately affects Territorians, restricting cardholders' shopping choices. Critics have long called for the policy's removal, dating back to its 2007 introduction, arguing it is discriminatory and unfairly impacts different states.
A class action accusing Queensland's child safety department of racial discrimination against First Nations families will be discontinued after losing funding. A grandmother involved in the case said her grandchildren were removed from her care in an act of discrimination. The lawsuit, led by Brett Harold Gunning and Madison May Burns, sought an apology and compensation. Advocates say Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more than nine times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children.
The Australian government will issue a formal apology to LGBTQ+ Defence personnel and veterans for historical discriminatory policies. The apology follows a long journey of official acknowledgement, with the ADF banning LGBTQ+ personnel until 1992 and transgender service until 2010. Veterans can now apply to have historical homosexual convictions removed from their service records, with the apology expected later this year.
An ACT firefighter alleged bullying and harassment by the United Firefighters Union and claimed the ACT Government failed to follow proper dispute resolution processes. The Fair Work Commission found the firefighter likely faced discrimination and adverse action but ruled the tribunal lacked jurisdiction due to legal technicalities. The firefighter must now seek compensation through the court system. The government's conduct was described as concerning, with the firefighter claiming his workplace became unsafe due to union pressure and employer actions. The firefighter also accused the government of concealing information and misrepresenting his rights.
