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

We've taken on major Australian companies and won better access to digital products and services for people with disability.

Tackling mental health discrimination in insurance

We represented around 180 clients, improving how the industry treats people with mental health conditions.

Beating discrimination at the Sydney Olympics

We brought one of the world's first complaints about website accessibility, winning improvements and influencing government regulation.

Opposing the harmful postal survey on marriage equality

We challenged the Australian Government in the High Court, testing the limits of executive power.

Challenging sexuality discrimination against foster parents

We represented a same-sex couple challenging discrimination by foster care agency Wesley Mission, part of the Uniting Church.

Representing families to get justice after deaths in custody

We exposed systemic failures in custody procedures, winning improvements and accountability.

Ensuring access to hepatitis C treatment in immigration detention

We won access to life-saving medicine for people in immigration detention.

The fight against indefinite detention

We challenged the Commonwealth’s power to indefinitely detain people and the mandatory detention of children seeking asylum.

Returning stolen wages

We supported more than 200 Aboriginal people in their fight to recover stolen wages.

Improving air travel for people with disability

With disability advocates, we have improved the accessibility of air travel.

Chelmsford deep sleep therapy: Exposing systemic failings that denied justice

We helped to expose the harm caused by experimental therapies at Chelmsford Hospital.

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

We helped victims of the faulty Dalkon Shield understand their legal rights and win damages for their injuries.

Fair energy prices for households

From our very first case in 1982, we’ve been fighting for fair energy bills for households – and securing significant wins.

Demand response: a win for consumers and the climate

We played a central role in securing a demand response mechanism for Australia’s energy network.

Making public transport accessible

Our leading disability discrimination practice has driven breakthrough reform to make public transport more accessible for everybody.

Abuses in military detention: uncovering the truth

We blew the lid off Australia’s role in secret military operations related to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defeating a deeply flawed Religious Discrimination Bill

With civil society partners, we stopped the Morrison Government from overriding human rights protections.

Compensation for young people falsely imprisoned

We secured justice for more than 50 young people wrongly arrested by NSW Police.

Challenging inhumane handcuffing in immigration detention

Our advocacy and landmark test case exposed extensive and unjustified use of restraints.

Ending the unfair and unlawful STMP

We led the successful campaign to defeat a secretive NSW Police policy used to target First Nations people.

Justice for households crushed by unfair loans scheme

We helped more than 6,000 low-income borrowers forced into crippling debt by an unfair government loans scheme.

Securing accessible education

We secured and defended the right of children with disability to have equal access to education.

Defeating sex discrimination at the Port Kembla steel works

A landmark victory for equal employment, this was one of largest and longest sex discrimination cases in Australian history.