Experts of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Commend Australia for 2025 Corruption Perception Index Rating, Raise Questions on “Robotdebt” Scandal and First Nations Languages
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights today concluded its review of the sixth periodic report of Australia under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Committee Experts commended the State party for its impressive ranking on the 2025 Corruption Perception Index, while raising questions about the “Robotdebt” scandal resulting in a loss of social security payments and the teaching of First Nations languages in schools
Seree Nonthasoot, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, said it was impressive that, according to the 2025 Corruption Perception Index, Australia ranked 12 out of 182 countries. The State party planned to create a register of beneficial ownership for all companies, which would help limit misuse of public funds and illicit financial flows. Mr. Nonthasoot enquired as to when this would be established.
Aslan Abashidze, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, said there had been errors in the targeted compliance framework - the “Robodebt” scandal - resulting in thousands of people losing their social security payments when they should not have. What remedies had been provided to these people? What measures were in place to ensure that cashless welfare programmes did not have a punitive effect on vulnerable persons?
Peijie Chen, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, said according to the report, there used to be 250 indigenous languages, but now only 150 were left, with indigenous language, culture, and curriculum varying in different regions. Could the delegation comment on this as well as on the teaching of indigenous languages in schools and whether there were any measures taken to narrow the gap? Were there enough teachers to teach indigenous languages?
Clare Walsh, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, introducing the report, said Australia’s vibrant, modern multicultural society was one of the State’s greatest strengths. It was home to the world’s oldest continuous culture, as well as non-indigenous Australians who identified with over 300 different ancestries. Since its last appearance before the Committee in 2017, the State party had increased the national minimum wage, and through its Future Made in Australia Agenda, it was investing in a more diversified economy, focusing on renewable energy, and manufacturing and supporting long-term employment.
Responding to questions, the delegation said in July 2023, the final report from the Royal Commission into the “Robodebt” issue was provided to the Government; it recommended the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, delivery of a broad-scale public service reform agenda, and strengthening of the public sector whistleblower framework. The Government was working on implementing these recommendations. Consultations had been held with community groups on potential reform of the income management programme, including on replacements for the former cashless debit card scheme.
The delegation also said that the Australian Government recognised the importance of supporting and teaching First Nations languages. Under the Australian curriculum, schools could use the framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to support First Nations language learning. Australia was actively participating it the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Decade on Indigenous Languages, and in 2023, an action plan was released in this regard. First Nations communities had been placed at the centre of a programme where they could decide to share their languages with local primary schools, with more than 70 schools currently involved.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Nonthasoot said many salient points had been discussed, including poverty, First Nations, and human rights due diligence. Australia did not lack resources to meet these challenges, but other factors stood in the way. He was thankful for the delegation’s willingness to engage and the open mindedness of its members, as well as the Australian human rights ecosystem.
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Walsh said Australia remained a steadfast supporter of the multilateral system and would continue to engage constructively with it. Today’s discussion was the tip of the iceberg and reflected a huge amount of work and expertise from both the Committee and the delegation.
The delegation of Australia was comprised of representatives from the Attorney General’s Department; Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water; Department of Employment Workplace Relations; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; Department of Social Services; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Department of Home Affairs; National Indigenous Australian Agency; Office for Women; Treasury; Australian Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris; and the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee’s seventy-ninth session is being held until 25 February 2026. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 February, to close its seventy-ninth session.
Report
The Committee has before it the sixth periodic report of Australia (E/C.12/AUS/6).
Presentation of Report
CLARE WALSH, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said Australia took its human rights obligations very seriously, including appearances before human rights treaty bodies. The State had a proud history of protecting and promoting human rights, both at home and internationally. It remained committed to the essential functions that the multilateral architecture provided and would continue to engage constructively with it. It would also continue to engage with civil society and was grateful to it and the Australian Human Rights Commission for their contributions to the review.
Australia’s vibrant, modern multicultural society was one of the State’s greatest strengths. It was home to the world’s oldest continuous culture, as well as non-indigenous Australians who identified with over 300 different ancestries. Every individual had a place in modern Australia. However, continued effort was required to ensure all communities felt safe, respected and proud of who they were. Following the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last year, the Australian Government had passed a comprehensive package of reforms that cracked down on hate speech, extremism and radicalisation, and took sensible action on firearms. There was no place in Australia for antisemitism, racism or violence, and the State would continue to promote and protect individual freedom, cultural diversity, and human rights to bring its community together.
Australian values - based on freedom, respect, fairness, compassion and equal opportunity - were central to the State’s security, prosperity and stability. The State celebrated all people regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race or national or ethnic origin.
Since its last appearance before the Committee in 2017, Australia had made progress on the enjoyment of economic, cultural and social rights. The State party had increased the national minimum wage, and through its Future Made in Australia Agenda, it was investing in a more diversified economy, focusing on renewable energy, and manufacturing and supporting long-term employment. It had put gender equality at the heart of its workplace relations system, driving the gender pay gap to its lowest on record. The State introduced employer obligations to take measures to eliminate workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation, and legislated paid domestic and violence leave; it had also implemented reforms to make Government-funded paid parental leave longer, more accessible for mothers and fathers, and more flexible to support shared care.
Australia had renewed its commitment to the “Closing the Gap” framework to address systemic inequalities in health, education, housing and employment for First Nations people. While a national referendum to include a “First Nations Voice to Parliament” in the Constitution was unsuccessful, there had been momentum, with a Voice to Parliament introduced by some state governments.
Australia was an active party to the Paris Agreement, with ambitious targets to achieve net-zero by 2050. Its 2025 net zero plan supported new industries, investment in renewables, building transmission, and helping households electrify over the coming decades. Further, the State introduced a measure to support all Australian school students to access age-appropriate education on consent and respectful relationships, which would help prevent violence and keep children and young people safe, and had introduced a ban on children under the age of 16 holding social media accounts.
At the same time, Australia had grappled with existing and emerging challenges which had slowed progress. Housing affordability and the cost of living were putting pressure on Australians; COVID-19 exposed the fragility of health and aged care systems; the State had experienced the impact of climate change through increasingly severe fires, floods and natural disasters; and the Royal Commission into the “Robodebt” report laid bare the impact poor policies and programmes could have on vulnerable people.
Australia’s federal system meant that the State’s international treaty obligations were shared across federal, state and territory governments. This added complexity to the implementation of human rights but also inspired innovation and leadership. State and Territory governments delivered many of the services and programmes which allowed Australians to enjoy economic, social and cultural rights. Despite the complexities, all Australian governments were united in their conviction that all people were entitled to equal enjoyment of their human rights, respect, dignity and legal protection. The State party would continue to work together, listen and strive to realise the economic, social and cultural rights of all Australians.
Questions by a Committee Expert
SEREE NONTHASOOT, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, said that Australia had no federal human rights act that comprehensively enshrined and protected the human rights stemming from the Covenant. The Committee noted with satisfaction the establishment of the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights that was mandated to analyse draft bills for compliance with human rights obligations. However, it lacked effectiveness, as its views were not fully considered and incorporated prior to the passage of laws. Would Australia ratify the Optional Protocol to the Covenant?
The human rights covered by the enabling legislation for the Australian Human Rights Commission were limited to those recognised by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Would the State party revise the law to incorporate human rights recognised in all international treaties to which Australia was a party? Did the funding of the Australian Human Rights Commission enable it to carry out its mandate independently and effectively?
There was an absence of comprehensive public reporting on tax avoidance losses and the fiscal cost of major tax benefits. Australia also significantly relied on indirect and consumption-based taxation that could disproportionately affect lower-income households and limit the redistributive potential of the tax system. There were also gaps in social security, housing, and environmental protections for indigenous peoples and for residents of remote and regional Australia compared with national averages, and investment in public housing was lacking. How were these issues being addressed?
It was impressive that, according to the 2025 Corruption Perception Index, Australia ranked 12 out of 182 countries. The State party planned to create a register of beneficial ownership for all companies, which would help limit misuse of public funds and illicit financial flows. When would this be established?
Mr. Nonthasoot also welcomed the introduction of the modern slavery act in 2018 and encouraged the State party to develop a national action plan on business and human rights. Presently, there was no requirement for due diligence of Australian corporate activity in Australia and overseas, despite occurrences of land grabbing, displacement and violence against local communities, environmental contamination, and unsafe labour conditions linked to Australian mining and energy companies’ activities around the world. How was the State addressing the lack of proper and independent investigation and complaints mechanisms against private companies?
Based on 2024 emission projections, Australia was unlikely to reach its legislated 2030 target of reducing emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels. The pace of emission cuts was insufficient to reach its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement or its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. How was the State party pursuing alternative and renewable energy production measures and supporting mining workers and communities during the transition? The Australian naval nuclear power safety bill allowed for the dumping of United States and United Kingdom intermediate level waste and other high-level nuclear waste from their nuclear submarines. What mitigation framework was being put in place to tackle potential nuclear incidents? The Committee had also observed divergent standards of environmental protection and waste management in external territories such as Christmas Island, Cocos Islands and Norfolk Island, raising concerns over equal protection of natural resources.
Australians were protected against discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, but not on the ground of religious belief or practice. Was the State party developing an anti-religious discrimination law? Would the Government endorse the proposed national anti-racism framework and establish a task force to oversee the framework? There were worrisome exemptions in the federal sex discrimination act 1984 allowing religious institutions to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Would the State party develop a comprehensive plan to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability?
The Committee had received reports of poor conditions and inadequate healthcare for detainees in offshore asylum seeker detention centres operated by private companies in Nauru, and of evictions of asylum seekers who were relocated to Papua New Guinea from Manus Island detention centre. They were also facing deductions in their basic income because of disputes between Australia and Papua New Guinea. How was the State party ensuring the protection of asylum seekers?
The Committee welcomed that Victoria had become the first Australian jurisdiction to negotiate, legislate and enact a formal treaty with its First Peoples and provide for a state-wide First Peoples Assembly in September 2025. However, at the federal or national level, no such mechanism was established. What efforts were being made in this regard, after the 2023 Voice Referendum did not gain the majority vote to formalise First Peoples representation? There was over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in all levels of the criminal justice system. What progress had been made in addressing the mental and physical health problems, economic disadvantages, over-incarceration and social exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? Free, prior and informed consent was absent from the State party’s current legal framework. How was this being addressed?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Australia protected economic, social and cultural rights through legislation, policies and programmes at federal, state and territorial levels. The Government was giving careful consideration to the recent recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, including the recommendation to establish a federal human rights act. The Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Queensland had enacted statutory human rights instruments.
The Government was not planning to become a party to the Optional Protocol. Australians were able to bring complaints under five international human rights treaties to which Australia was a party. Australia would continue to monitor developments related to the Optional Protocol.
The State had taken several steps to support re-accreditation of the Australian Human Rights Commission at “A” status under the Paris Principles. It had amended the appointments act of 2022 to clarify the maximum tenure of the president of the Commission at seven years, inclusive of reappointments, and increased funding for the Commission.
Australia’s anti-discrimination framework made discrimination based on a range of characteristics unlawful. However, this did not include a federal religious discrimination act; this would only be pursued with bipartisan support. The Government was committed to ensuring balance between protecting students and teachers from discrimination and allowing schools to operate in accordance with their religious ethos. It had commissioned an inquiry into religious institutions and anti-discrimination laws, which had recommended making preferencing of people in admission to these schools unlawful. The Government had consulted with civil society to develop draft legislation in this regard.
In 2024, the national human rights institution had published a national anti-racism framework as part of the national anti-racism strategy. The Government was carefully considering the recommendations in this framework.
The native title act included procedural safeguards to ensure that native title claimants and holders were notified, consulted and in some circumstances had the opportunity to enter into agreements before activities that affected their rights and interests. The State party remained focused on community-led pathways to strengthen participation and self-determination. It continued to work through “Closing the Gap” structures with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners.
The national agreement on Closing the Gap, signed in 2020, outlined a roadmap for governments and partners to work together on policies and programmes impacting First Nations people. Of its 19 targets related to socioeconomic outcomes, 10 were on track or improving, while four were going backwards, and the remaining targets could not be assessed due to data limitations. The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults held in incarceration, children in out-of-home care and the suicide rate were all increasing. The Government had invested 10.4 billion Australian dollars since 2022 towards implementing this agreement.
Government spending had remained relatively stable over time, adjusting in response to economic and social pressures. Over one-third of tax expenses provided support to the aged, families with children, veterans, carer and unemployed people. Around one-sixth of Government expenses were on health and the Government also significantly invested in education. It was committed to improving the supply of social and affordable housing; it had a target of supporting 55,000 such homes between 2022 and 2029. As of 2025, 5,600 such homes had been delivered and 24,000 were under construction. In 2023, Government personal income tax accounted for 24 per cent of total tax revenue. The goods and services tax had remained at a flat rate of 10 per cent since its introduction in 2000.
Australia ensured that its businesses respected economic, social and cultural rights through domestic laws on workplace discrimination, privacy, and modern slavery. It expected multinational enterprises operating in its jurisdiction to follow Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines on responsible business conduct.
Australia was on track to achieve a 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2030, one percentage point short of its target. The decarbonisation of major facilities was underway, with the closure of coal-fired power stations, which would lead to further emissions reductions. The State party planned to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It would still require the use of some fossil fuels during the transition period to back-up renewable energy.
Australia maintained a strong, robust migration system and an enduring regional processing capacity. Its asylum policy had prevented the loss of lives at sea, particularly for those who were vulnerable. As of December 2025, there were 98 transitory persons in Nauru under regional processing arrangements. They had full freedom of movement and were not held in detention. The administration and management of these arrangements in Nauru were the responsibility of the Government of Nauru. Also, as of 2021, Papua New Guinea had assumed full responsibility for the management of transitory individuals on its territory.
Since the Disability Royal Commission’s final report was released in July 2024, the Government had placed strong emphasis on engaging with persons with disabilities to guide the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts
SEREE NONTHASOOT, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, said that in 2024-2025, the gender pay gap amounted to 21.1 per cent. Gaps were widening for older women and migrant and refugee women, who were disproportionately in low income and insecure job markets. Women occupied only 19.4 per cent of chief executive officer posts, 32.5 per cent of key management positions, and 18 per cent of board chairs. Some 92 per cent of pregnant workers reportedly still faced discrimination. How was the State party promoting gender equality and women’s representation?
The Committee was in solidarity with the Australian people and the victims of the Bondi beach shooting incident which happened in December 2025. While this heinous act highlighted the need for more robust security measures, these needed to be limited and avoid racial profiling. What was the State party’s operational security framework? Mr. Nonthasoot welcomed that the State party had ratified five Optional Protocols to international human rights treaties. Why not that of the Covenant?
Other Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on planned reforms to tax measures that disproportionately benefitted wealthy individuals; efforts to address obstacles in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights caused by the State’s fragmented legal system; and how the State party was applying the Human Rights Committee’s decisions related to reparations for Torres Strait Islanders affected by climate change.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there was a long way to go in achieving gender equality. Australia had seen good progress in recent years, reaching 13th in the Global Gender Gap Index and reducing the gender pay gap from 21.1 per cent when the report was submitted to 11.5 per cent in 2024. The Government had launched its first national strategy for gender equality, called “Working for Women”, and had announced a range of investments and structural changes under this strategy, which took an intersectional approach and focused on First Nations people. The percentage of women on Government boards was currently at an all-time high of 54 per cent and there was a very high representation of women in the Federal Parliament and Cabinet. There were laws protecting pregnant and breastfeeding women from discrimination.
In response to the tragic Bondi attack, the Government had passed legislation to strengthen firearm laws and hate crime laws. The Government considered these to be compatible with the international instruments which Australia had ratified.
Since 2022, the Government had implemented tax reforms, including reforms to personal income tax. Tax cuts were modest but provided further meaningful cost-of-living relief, addressed bracket creep, and boosted labour supply. The Government had not announced plans to change the capital gains tax discount. It was focusing on promoting a fair go for working people, incentivising business investment, and making the tax system simpler and more sustainable.
The Government considered that the rights and opportunities protected in the Optional Protocol to the Covenant were already protected under the other international treaties to which Australia was a party.
There was federal anti-discrimination legislation and all states and territories had their own anti-discrimination legislation and a board or commission that oversaw human rights. This gave people in different states a choice as to which avenue they were able to take their discrimination complaints to.
The most appropriate remedies for climate change harms in the Torres Strait came through close collaboration with the Torres Strait Islander communities. The Government was committed to implementing measures to ensure the continued safe existence of these communities on their respective islands.
Questions by a Committee Expert
ASLAN ABASHIDZE, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, asked about measures to reduce unemployment among young people and indigenous communities, given persistent gaps in labour force participation. How did the State party ensure that employment programmes did not disadvantage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders? How did it ensure that the job seeker allowance was sufficient to cover all living costs? How did the State party promote access to these payments for vulnerable groups? There had been errors in the targeted compliance framework – the “Robodebt” scandal - resulting in thousands of people losing their social security payments when they should not have. What remedies had been provided to these people? What measures were in place to ensure that cashless welfare programmes did not have a punitive effect on vulnerable persons?
What steps had been taken to address the rise of precarious and non-standard forms of employment in Australia? How were labour inspections ensured, including in rural and remote areas? How was forced labour prevented, including outside of Australian territory? What measures were in place to combat workplace sexual harassment, which nearly 40 per cent of women reported experiencing in the past five years? How was the State party strengthening the implementation of reforms to workplace sexual harassment laws? How did it ensure that part-time workers had sufficient income to guarantee a decent standard of living?
Why had restrictions been placed on trade unions under the fair work act and other legislation, particularly related to industrial actions? How did the State party ensure that penalties imposed on unions did not undermine freedom of association?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the Government was advancing a major employment reform agenda that included gig economy protections and new inclusive employment services. Targeted initiatives addressed the issues faced by vulnerable groups. The taxpayer-funded social security system provided a strong safety net for people unable to fully support themselves.
Total employment was projected to grow by 6.5 per cent over the next five years, with an extra two million people in jobs over the next 10 years. The labour force participation rate of younger Australians was one of the highest among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development States. Future employment opportunities for young people were expected to grow by up to 90 per cent in areas requiring post-secondary qualification.
Since 2023, changes to the fair work act had strengthened protections for casual workers, providing pathways to secure employment and better pay conditions. Since May 2022, the incidence of casual employment had fallen by 1.6 per cent to 21.7 per cent of all employees. The Fair Work Commission could now set minimum standards for self-employed digital platform workers. Workers could also access remedies for unfair dismissal.
Australia did not tolerate the exploitation of workers, including migrant workers. The Government had implemented key recommendations of the Migrant Workers Task Force, making migrant workers entitled to protections under the fair work act regardless of migration status, protecting migrant workers from sham employment contracts, and increasing funding to support the entitlements of these workers. Visas were extended for temporary migrant workers who had filed workplace exploitation claims so they could pursue their claims.
Since 2022, there had been significant progress in achieving equality between men and women and equal pay for equal work. There had been substantial pay rises in some of Australia’s most gender-segregated industries and the process for setting minimum wages needed to be free of gender-based assumptions. There had been a 28.5 per cent increase in wages for workers in the aged care sector, and a 12.5 per cent increase for those of early childhood care workers. Legislative changes had been made to make unpaid parental leave more flexible and entitlements sharable. Legislation also promoted workers’ “right to disconnect” outside of work hours.
Limitations on industrial action were considered reasonable, necessary and proportionate to promote the primacy of good faith negotiations, balancing the right to collective bargaining with the requirement to bargain when most employees wished to do so. Since 2023, trade union delegates’ rights had been strengthened. Minimum wages were set by the independent Fair Work Commission based on submissions by unions, employers and civil society organizations.
The Government had provided 11.5 billion Australian dollars in additional payments to the social security system between 2023 and 2025. This led to certain job seeker payments increasing by 23 per cent. In July 2023, the final report from the Royal Commission into the “Robodebt” issue was provided to the Government; it recommended the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, delivery of a broad-scale public service reform agenda, and strengthening of the public sector whistleblower framework. The Government was working on implementing these recommendations. Consultations had been held with community groups on potential reform of the income management programme, including on replacements for the former cashless debit card scheme.
The Government was committed to supporting women who had experienced workplace sexual harassment. It had implemented all 55 recommendations of the respect at work report and ratified the International Labour Organization convention on violence and harassment.
Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts
SEREE NONTHASOOT, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, asked how Australia viewed the impact of poverty on First Nations’ peoples. Had the State party established national poverty indicators? Only 14 per cent of persons with disabilities had joined the national disability insurance scheme. What had precluded other persons with disabilities and what was the policy trajectory on this scheme? The State party needed to make more progress in the field of business and human rights and integrate mandatory due diligence reporting in law and practice.
Other Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on how the State party was increasing job seeker and working age pensions, housing assistance and assistance for vulnerable families, and making the social security system less punitive.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the Government monitored a range of metrics to capture the multidimensional nature of poverty, including relative income poverty measures. The “Measuring What Matters” framework was tracking indicators in this regard.
Australia was likely to spend around 50 billion Australian dollars on its national disability insurance scheme in 2025-2026. The scheme was designed to support people with a significant or permanent disability; thus, it did not cover all persons with disabilities. Assessments of the implementation of the scheme were conducted annually.
The Government did not embed mandatory human rights due diligence by business in domestic law, but it encouraged multinational enterprises to perform voluntary due diligence on a broad range of topics, including human rights. The State worked with partners to increase awareness and highlight best practice approaches to addressing business and human rights.
Questions by a Committee Expert
LUDOVIC HENNEBEL, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, said Australia was a rich, stable democracy that was deeply committed to human rights and the rule of law. However, there were gaps in the implementation of the Covenant, particularly regarding the implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples, asylum seekers, persons with disabilities and women. How did the State party ensure that family support was sufficiently developed so that children were only withdrawn from their homes in exceptional circumstances? What measures were in place to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system? How was the State party addressing regional inequalities in the system and preventing forced evictions in indigenous communities? What was the legal status of asylum seekers held at length in offshore facilities? How could they access essential services?
What measures were in place to ensure real access to health regardless of income and place of residence, and ensure the availability of healthcare in rural areas and for indigenous peoples? How was the State addressing reports of forced sterilisation of women with disabilities and growing gaps in access to community-based mental health services? What funding had been provided for the national plan on access to health for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and how was the implementation of the plan overseen? What measures were in place to combat high obesity levels in certain communities? How did the State party assess the social determinants of health in its public health programmes?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said in December 2025, Australia passed new laws to cease social security payments for those accused of serious crimes. As this law had just been passed, its broader impact would need to be reported in due course.
Australia was working with institutions on challenges facing the region, including the safe and secure disposal of nuclear waste generated by Australia’s nuclear submarines. There had been open engagement with the Pacific on AUKUS, which would continue. Australia would manage nuclear waste from submarines domestically and was committed to protecting the country’s oceans in the process.
The Australian Government would proceed to a public, federally operated register for unlisted companies. The Government recently introduced legislation to improve market transparency around investments.
Australia was advancing legislative and policy reforms to protect indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage. The Government had partnered with the First Nations’ Protection Alliance since 2021 to implement reforms which were a way forward. Employment and training support, counselling and other services provided coverage for Australians across their life source. All Australian Governments across the jurisdictions remained committed to older persons, including a plan dedicated to preventing mistreatment and abuse of older persons.
Key national initiatives had been launched under the national agreement of “Closing the Gap” to reduce the rate of overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home care. Thirty million Australian Dollars had been committed for national initiatives, including a fund to invest in vulnerable children and families, funding to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre for Excellence, and establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission for Young People.
Australia had released a national plan to end violence against women and children (2022–2032), with a dedicated action plan focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Work had been carried out with these groups to develop a plan in this regard, which sat alongside the national plan. It provided more targeted responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children, in recognition of their unique needs. Work was carried out to provide on the ground and frontline services for crisis support. Direct service support was provided in certain communities.
A range of metric mechanisms were being used to monitor poverty. A framework tracked around 50 indicators across themes which included healthy, sustainable and prosperous, among others.
The Australian Government was working to address housing inequality, which disproportionately impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Support was being provided to areas in greatest need, including in the remote Northern Territory. State and territory governments were responsible for rental conditions, including conditions for evictions. Reforms were nearing completion, with jurisdictions making significant progress in strengthening renters’ rights.
The Multicultural Office was created in 2025 and had maintained a strong liaison officer network, maintaining relationships with a wide range of cultural groups and faith-based communities. Australia’s legislation made it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on race or ethnic origin in any aspect of public life. Special Envoys to combat antisemitism and anti-Islamophobia had been appointed, and legalisation had been launched in response to the horrific Bondi attacks, targeting hate speech.
There were currently 98 transitory people in Nauru who were not held in detention. Induvdiauls were only detained in Australia when they could be reasonably removed, and all efforts were undertaken in a timely manner. As such, administrative detention was used only as a last resort. As of 2025, there were 1,036 people in administrative detention in Australia. They were provided with healthcare, and facilities had been modernised.
Australia’s private health care system was complementary to the public system. Initiatives had been taken to strengthen Medicare, Australia’s universal public health system, including providing access to general practitioners. The Government had introduced urgent care clinics, which operated between general practitioners and hospitals, to ease pressure on hospitals, and required no out-of-pocket costs. Every Australian should be able to access an urgent care clinic within 20 minutes of their home. The Government had an incentive programme for rural support, promoting care for those in rural and remote areas, including an incentive for general practitioners to work in these areas. An inaugural First Nations’ schedule had been designed to drive reforms for First Nations peoples and ensure health systems would provide culturally sensitive care for them.
In the 2025 federal election, the Government announced more than 1 billion Australian Dollars to deliver free mental health services and grow the mental health service workforce. This included the delivery of new mental health workers and centres dedicated to mental health. Following the Bondi attacks, more than 40 million Australian Dollars were provided to help those who had been impacted by the attacks, particularly the Jewish population.
Australia advocated for an evidence-based approach to drug policy, with harm reduction programmes playing a key role. National harm reduction programmes were reported, including the opioid treatment programmes, among others. In 2025, the Australian Government launched its national action plan to improve health outcomes for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. The plan focused on health equity, preventative health, and safe and high-quality care, among other factors. Tens of millions of Australian Dollars had been allocated to implement the plan.
Sixty-six per cent of people in Australia were overweight or obese. A national strategy had been issued to state and territory Governments to address this, as well as to support those who were obese. In 2024, Australia launched its inaugural national health and climate strategy, aiming to provide a climate-resilient health system, with a focus on the most vulnerable. The strategy specifically committed to supporting First Nations peoples and building the capacity of aboriginal health services for emergency preparedness and response to climate emergencies.
Currently, a sterilisation procedure for non-therapeutic reasons could only occur with the adult person’s consent or with a ruling from a court if the person was unable to provide consent. Australia acknowledged the unacceptable high rates of First Nations persons being incarcerated and the tragedy of deaths in custody. The overrepresentation resulted from intersecting issues, including intergenerational trauma, racism, the forced removal of First Nations children, and economic disadvantage, among others. Australia remained committed to working with states and territories towards early prevention, to reduce over incarceration of First Nations peoples. In each meeting for “Closing the Gap”, jurisdictions were asked to share work in First Nations’ justice.
Questions by Committee Experts
SEREE NONTHASOOT, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, said the enforcement of drug policies tended to be largely disproportionate on ethnic and lower income groups, including strip searches and profiling people. There was also a thin division line between personal drug use and drug trafficking, with law enforcement agencies largely free to allege drug trafficking in cases of personal drug use. Could information around this be provided?
A Committee Expert said the percentage of children under the age of five who faced problems with obesity had doubled between 2023 and 2024, which was alarming. What measures was the State party taking regarding the regulation of companies which produced ultra-processed foods? Did these measures include a focus on advertising and labelling?
LUDOVIC HENNEBEL, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, asked what the consequences of immigration detention were on mental health? What measures were being taken to prevent this situation? Why was the age of criminal responsibility set at 10 in some jurisdictions? How did Australia’s drug policy aim to prevent the population at large, including children? There was a blockage in pollical will for recognising the rights of Aboriginal peoples. What was the work being done in this regard within the Government and the federal bodies?
Another Committee Expert asked for an update on the newly adopted climate adaptation plan? How was health and agriculture being impacted?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Australia had committed to deliver three billion Australian Dollars in climate financing. Development assistance to climate was focused on the Pacific. Australia’s Government had continued to deliver on priorities contained in the climate adaptation plan. A disaster-ready fund had been developed, as well as loan funding provided to actions which would build climate resistance. The Government was working closely with First Nations peoples and was conscious that Australia was located in areas significantly impacted by climate. The Government had launched its home batteries subsidies programme to reduce the cost of installing batteries, increasing energy resilience.
The issue of minimum age of criminal responsibility continued to be discussed between the federal government and those of the states and territories, through the Attorney General’s Council. A report was published in this regard, resulting the raising of the criminal age of criminal responsibility to 12 and 14 by various states.
States and territories were responsible for implementing drug harm reduction strategies, due to the unique requirements for each jurisdiction, including for the establishment of supervised injection facilities. Australia had two injecting rooms, one in New South Wales and one in Victoria. The Australian Capital Territory had been the first jurisdiction to decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs.
Initiatives had been funded to help Australians make healthy food choices, including through the star rating system on food products, the healthy food partnerships, the eat for health resources, and the nutrient reference values, among others.
Australia did not keep people in indefinite immigration detention. A virtual care centre operated to provide support to detainees and medical staff. All health services in Australian immigration facilities operated in line with the national standards. Mental health needs were identified through regular screening and assessment, and if necessary, detainees were placed on a mental health plan, monitored by a specialised team of mental health professionals, and based on their individual needs.
From 2017 to 2023, First Nations Peoples undertook substantial work towards Constitutional recognition, culminating with the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which led to the call for a referendum to appoint an indigenous voice in Parliament, which was rejected. Australia was committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to continue exploring vehicles for representation.
Questions by Committee Experts
PEIJIE CHEN, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, wished everyone a happy lunar new year. According to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report, the school attendance rate was declining in past years. Could the delegation provide information on what exactly the situation was and the analysis of the reason for this situation? Had any relevant measures been taken and what was the effect? What efforts had been made to ensure funding equality for public and private schools? Were any measures taken, especially through educational means to strengthen prevention and prevent bullying? How effective were they? Were there any measures taken within the education system to help prevent suicide and mental illnesses? What had been their effect? Could updates on initiatives, such as “Towards Zero Suicides”, be provided?
What measures of continuing education and training had been introduced to help young people in employment, and what were their outcomes? How many young people had benefited from the Government’s youth specialised service as well as the corresponding education, continuing education, and training? According to information received, asylum seekers’ children transferred by Australia to Nauru had limited or no access to education. How had Australia implemented the Committee’s previous concluding observations on ensuring the right to education for refugee and asylum-seeking children? Were there any further measures taken to eliminate such discrimination？
The Committee welcomed the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, established in 2020. According to the report, some targets were on track; some targets were improving but not on track; and some targets were not on track and worsening, including those such as early childhood development and indigenous suicide rates. Could more clarification be provided around the situation and why was this the case?
The low age of criminal responsibility for child crimes was a concern. Had any early intervention or crime preventive measures been taken, especially efforts made through school education to strengthen the prevention of crimes? The Committee was concerned that during the last review, many children with disabilities were placed in special schools, and it recommended that the State party take effective steps to ensure that children with disabilities could access inclusive education. Could information on this be provided?
The Committee welcomed Australia’s action plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032, which was a good action plan. What were the specific projects and final goals of the plan? How was its effectiveness ensured? What was the level of society participation?
According to the report, there used to be 250 indigenous languages, but now only 150 were left, with indigenous language, culture, and curriculum varying in different regions. Could the delegation comment on this as well as on the teaching of indigenous languages in schools and whether there were any measures taken to narrow the gap? Were there enough teachers to teach indigenous languages. Was the education of common languages such as English for indigenous peoples synchronised with that of other ordinary Australians, while ensuring education in indigenous languages?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said regular school attendance was critical for successful student outcomes, with reasons for non-attendance often being complex. The Government was delivering an additional 16.5 million Australian Dollars to the better and fairer schools agreement. Data collected showed that the attendance level had increased across all sectors in Government and non-Government schools. Attendance rates had also increased among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The Government was committed to ensuring every child had access to education, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. The better and fairer schools agreement commenced in 2025 and established substantial funding for public schools. Total public expenditure for all schools had increased by 42 per cent in recent years.
In 2025, an anti-bullying rapid review was established in consultation with parents, teachers and other stakeholders. The final report contained recommendations to ensure schools were a safe environment, including to establish a national standard on bullying, which was agreed upon by the Government. The disability discrimination act and the disability standards for education outlined that all schools needed to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. In 2026, the Government provided around 4.9 billion Australian Dollars to Australian schools and had invested over 100 million Australian Dollars in the positive partnership programme, supporting learners on the autism spectrum and their families.
The Australian Government recognised the importance of supporting and teaching First Nations languages. Under the Australian curriculum, schools could use the framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to support First Nations language learning. Australia was actively participating in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Decade on Indigenous Languages, and in 2023, an action plan was released in this regard. First Nations’ communities had been placed at the centre of a programme where they could decide to share their languages with local primary schools, with more than 70 schools currently involved. A positive trend for First Nations children had been seen in several initiatives for the Closing the Gap new national agreement.
In Australia, more than 3,000 people died by suicide each year. The Government had a national mental health agreement and a suicide prevention strategy in place. There was also a specific national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention strategy, and significant funds had been invested by the Government in this regard. The national Headspace network had centres across the country, supporting hundreds of thousands of young Australians annually.
There were no children in regional processing arrangements in Nauru. Those seeking asylum in Australia generally held bridging visas and had access to education across all regions. Significant investment had been made to national justice reinvestment programmes, which varied depending on the State or territory. The Tasmanian Government had developed a blueprint which set out a long-term vision to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and young people in incarceration.
Questions by Committee Experts
An Expert noted the laudable steps taken by Australia to address mental health issues. What steps had been taken in school education programmes to prevent substance abuse among children?
PEIJIE CHEN, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, said information indicated that Government cultural subsidies disproportionately benefitted large city institutions, and there was insufficient funding to support small-scale community activities, among other issues. Could the delegation explain this situation as well as corresponding improvement measures? Could further information be provided on measures and efforts for the protection, and the progress of reforming Australia’s First Nations cultural heritage protections? Could information be provided on measures taken to address issues, including access to science and technology, including for marginalised groups? What efforts had been taken to introduce a comprehensive framework regulating artificial intelligence and automated decision-making in public administration? What was the rate of internet coverage in Australia and the use of artificial intelligence in practice?
LUDOVIC HENNEBEL, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Australia, asked whether follow-up mechanisms had been implemented in response to the Close the Gap initiative? How would the State ensure these mechanisms were independent and effective? Was there a formally, legally recognised definition of poverty?
An Expert said Australia was a strong supporter of the United Nations and the human rights system. Given the current crisis situation, what initiatives did Australia envisage to assist?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the national curriculum mandated information on drugs and alcohol, based on harm minimisation. There were several programmes in schools and higher education institutions that promoted access to science, education, technology and engineering subjects.
The Government had agreed to seven of the eight recommendations regarding the protection of indigenous cultural heritage, including the design of a national framework in this regard, in partnership with indigenous peoples.
Artificial intelligence could help solve major challenges of the coming decade. Australia had released a national artificial intelligence plan which introduced new actions to ensure all Australians could benefit from the opportunities offered by this technology.
The Government had undertaken a human rights assessment of the bill which introduced an age limit for social media use. The law was limited to preventing young people from creating and holding accounts on social media, allowing them to access content such as educational videos in a logged-out state.
A comprehensive assessment process was undertaken against those held in immigration detention to assess whether they could practically be removed and if the removal ensured Australia continued to comply with its international obligations under the principle of non-refoulment. If this was not the case, the individual would not be removed and would be released from immigration detention.
Australia was not reducing its development assistance programme; this was around five billion Australian Dollars in 2026, which represented an increase. Around three quarters of funding was targeted to the Indo-Pacific region. Australia remained resolute in its commitment to the United Nations and the important work it undertook. The protection of humanitarian personnel was one of vital importance for Australia and this had been highlighted on the country’s international agenda.
Closing Remarks
SEREE NONTHASOOT, Committee Expert and Leader of the Taskforce for Australia, thanked the Australian delegation members for their participation in the dialogue. Many salient points had been discussed, including poverty, First Nations, and human rights due diligence. Australia did not lack resources to meet these challenges, but other factors stood in the way. Mr. Nonthasoot was thankful for the delegation’s willingness to engage and the open mindedness of its members, as well as the Australian human rights ecosystem. He thanked all those who had made the dialogue possible.
CLARE WALSH, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue and for its members’ thoughtful questions. Australia remained a steadfast supporter of the multilateral system and would continue to engage constructively with it. Today’s discussion was the tip of the iceberg and reflected a huge amount of work and expertise from both the Committee and the delegation. Ms. Walsh thanked the members of the Australian delegation who had worked through the night in Canberra to respond to the Committee’s questions.
PREETI SARAN, Committee Chair, thanked all those who had made the dialogue possible and wished the delegation a safe trip home.
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CESCR26.005E