Everyone is entitled to equal access to education, regardless of their age, sex, race, gender identity, disability, intersex status or sexual orientation.
A person's private life, whether they are in a relationship, pregnant, have caring responsibilities or choose to wear religious dress should also not prevent them from accessing education.
This equal access applies to:
- getting a place at a school
- entry to different courses and opportunities a school offers
- school related activities like school excursions, sports or social events
- the way you are treated while at school.
Whoever runs the school - the Department for Education or a school council - is responsible for ensuring equal access for everyone. The law also applies at higher levels of education e.g. at TAFE or university.
Equal opportunity applies to public life, not private life. For example, gossiping about someone’s sexual orientation happens in your private life, so it’s not against the law. On the other hand, a teacher treating a student unfairly because of their sexual orientation is against the law because it happens in public life - at school.
Learn more about the below topics in a school setting.