Accommodation Status

In the ACT it is against the law for someone to discriminate against you because of a characteristic that you have, or that someone thinks you have, in an area of public life such as employment, education, accommodation, provision of goods and services, clubs. It is against the law for someone to discriminate against you because of your current or previous accommodation status, including periods of homelessness, occupancy or tenancy, not having a fixed address, secure accommodation, living in a caravan park or boarding house, because you are a public housing tenant or are on the waiting list for public housing.

Examples of accommodation status discrimination

Agnes is trying to access a medical practice, but they told her that to register as a patient and see a doctor, she needs to provide a residential address. Agnes does not currently have a fixed address, so she is denied access to a doctor.

Frank has been living in crisis accommodation for a year, after he separated from his wife and the family home was sold. He has been applying for private rental accommodation. An agent told him he was at ‘the bottom of the queue’ because his only rental reference for the past few years was crisis accommodation.

Sally lives in a long stay caravan park. A cafe in her area advertised for baristas, and Sally tried to give the owner her resume. The owner wouldn’t accept her resume, pointing to Sally’s address and saying that he was looking for more reliable staff.

Are there any exceptions?

It may not be unlawful in some circumstances to discriminate on the ground of accommodation status in relation to the provision of accommodation, if such discrimination is reasonable having regard to any relevant factors.