Human Rights Law Centre
Description
The Human Rights Law Centre is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government organisation based in Melbourne, Australia, active since 2006. It is a registered charity with deductible gift recipient status, holds consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and is accredited under the National Community Legal Centre Accreditation Scheme.
The Centre advances and protects human rights through strategic legal action, policy analysis and advocacy. It works in partnership with people, communities and civil society across Aboriginal, legal, health and community sectors. It takes on only a small number of cases each year, chosen in line with its strategic priorities and developed with partner organisations. It does not provide general legal help directly to the public.
Through the Whistleblower Project it provides direct legal advice and representation to whistleblowers, described as Australia’s first and only specialist legal support service of its kind. Its work has contributed to achieving marriage equality in Australia, overturning the detention of children in adult prisons, securing voting rights for people in prison, decriminalising abortion nationwide, and bringing more than 500 people to freedom from offshore detention.
Current focus areas include First Nations justice, migration justice, corporate accountability, conditions for people in prison, democratic freedoms, human rights acts, climate justice and reproductive rights. The Centre is funded through donors and philanthropic partnerships.
Latest news
Burke’s immigration raids will punish Australia’s most exploited workers
17 Sep 2026
Win for Susan Neill-Fraser as parole board gag order found unlawful
15 Sep 2026
2 Sep 2026
Tasmanian Parole Board removes condition restricting Susan Neill-Fraser's speech
1 Sep 2026
Albanese Government’s response to antisemitism must uphold human rights
25 Aug 2026
Cook Government’s anti-protest Bills raise constitutional concerns
25 Aug 2026
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