Equality Australia: United Nations calls Australia out again — Equality Australia urges action on discrimination in religious schools
Michael Barnett OAM
March 3, 2026
United Nations calls Australia out again — Equality Australia urges action on discrimination in religious schools
3 March 2026 – Equality Australia has welcomed renewed UN pressure to end LGBTQ+ discrimination in religious schools, saying it’s time for Labor to finally make good on its promise to protect students and staff.
Over the weekend, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended Australia fix the exemptions that allow this discrimination in both schools and healthcare.
This is the second UN rebuke this year, with the same recommendation made during Australia’s Universal Periodic Review in January.
“Labor promised these reforms before forming government yet LGBTQ+ students and staff are still facing discrimination in religious schools because Australian law continues to permit it,” said Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill.
“No woman should lose her job for falling pregnant, and no student should be expelled or denied enrolment because of who they are. It’s time for our laws to align with the values of fairness and equality that define modern Australia.”
Under federal law, religious educational institutions and service providers can legally discriminate against students, staff and the people who rely on their services, based on their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or relationship status, or pregnancy.
This means LGBTQ+ teachers can be fired or denied promotions, while students can be expelled, refused leadership opportunities or be denied enrolment. Teachers can also be legally discriminated against for falling pregnant outside of marriage or getting divorced.
A report by the Australian Law Reform Commission in 2024 found there was strong public support, including among parents and people of faith, for removing special exemptions allowing religious schools to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people and others. It also found that the religious ethos of a school could be maintained without exemptions.
Equality Australia International Advisor Savanh Tanhchareun said Australia was out of step with countries that regard safeguarding staff and students in religious schools as a basic human right.
“It’s deeply concerning to see Australia lag behind countries that recognise that protecting staff and students in religious schools is a fundamental human right,” he said.
“Many Australians are genuinely shocked to learn that religious schools can dismiss a teacher for getting divorced or suspend a student for coming out as gay or trans.
“We like to think of ourselves as a fair and equal nation, but compared to other countries our laws are telling a different story.”
Media contact: Tara Ravens 0408 898 154