
Our record
The Justice and Equity Centre has been fighting injustice and inequality for more than 40 years. We were established in 1982 as the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and our early work was directed particularly towards government accountability and public interest litigation. We changed our name in 2024 to reflect the focus of our work on social justice: making practical change to the lives of people experiencing disadvantage.
We use test cases and policy advocacy to challenge unjust laws and practices. We take on cases and causes that have an impact beyond an individual client and benefit the wider community, particularly people facing disadvantage. We work collaboratively and in partnership to maximise our impact.
Our legal and policy work are supported by public advocacy involving media, communications and engagement with decision-makers, often in coalition or partnership with others. By exposing and challenging injustice and the damage it causes, we drive fairer outcomes.
These are examples of our significant and lasting impact.

Winning change on digital disability discrimination

Tackling mental health discrimination in insurance

Beating discrimination at the Sydney Olympics

Opposing the harmful postal survey on marriage equality

Challenging sexuality discrimination against foster parents

Representing families to get justice after deaths in custody

Ensuring access to hepatitis C treatment in immigration detention

The fight against indefinite detention

Returning stolen wages

Improving air travel for people with disability

20+ years of the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service

Chelmsford deep sleep therapy: Exposing systemic failings that denied justice

Justice for Australian women harmed by the ‘Dalkon Shield’ contraceptive

Fair energy prices for households

Demand response: a win for consumers and the climate

Making public transport accessible

Abuses in military detention: uncovering the truth

Defeating a deeply flawed Religious Discrimination Bill

Compensation for young people falsely imprisoned

Challenging inhumane handcuffing in immigration detention

Ending the unfair and unlawful STMP

Justice for households crushed by unfair loans scheme

Securing accessible education
