Anti-Discrimination NSW > Discrimination > Your rights during COVID-19
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​Your rights during the COVID-19 pandemic

Discrimination is against the law in certain areas, including

  • employment
  • education
  • providing goods and services
  • accommodation
  • registered clubs.

Your rights during the pandemic

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions, you have the right to live in an environment free of discrimination.

You have the right not to be discriminated against because of your race, your pregnancy, your illness or your responsibilities as a carer. There are a number of other protected characteristics under NSW anti-discrimination law.

Examples of unlawful discrimination

  • Your employment is terminated because you have COVID-19 or someone in your family has COVID-19.

  • Your employer downsizes because of COVID-19, and with changes being rolled out in your workplace you are treated differently to your colleagues, on the basis of your pregnancy or your responsibilities as a carer.

  • Your rental agreement is terminated because you’re a doctor, nurse or health worker and the landlord is worried that you will be infected with COVID-19 and will contaminate the property.

  • You are abused in public because of your race. Race includes colour, nationality, descent, ethnic and/or ethno-religious background.

  • You are denied service at a shop because of your race.

Your responsibilities during the pandemic

You have a responsibility to follow the laws and restrictions that are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest health advice can be found on the NSW Health website.

You also have a responsibility to not discriminate against anyone or treat them unfairly because of their race, because you think they have COVID-19 or for any other characteristic that is protected by the NSW legislation.