Students

LAWS8026 – Anti-Discrimination Law

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener, Tutor
Danielle Moon
Contact via Message via Ilearn Only
17 Wally's Walk
9am Thursday, online, by appointment only
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to LLM or MLCHRS or (Admission to JD and LAWS600 or LAWS8001)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines how the concepts of equality and non-discrimination have been given effect to in Australia through the statutory framework of federal, state and territory anti-discrimination laws. It analyses the theoretical and practical application of this regulatory framework, and its shortcomings. The unit critiques how the legal form of 'discrimination' is constructed, and whether the complaints based model for the enforcement of Australian anti-discrimination laws is an effective compliance regime. It also considers how we judge the contribution law can make to eliminating discrimination and addressing inequality, and what additional regulatory responses may be required.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: evaluate theoretical approaches to equality and discrimination
  • ULO2: apply the legislative proscription of discrimination to varying attributes and contexts
  • ULO3: analyse the applicable dispute resolution processes
  • ULO4: present well-developed arguments in response to a range of discrimination issues
  • ULO5: identify potential reforms to the existing anti-discrimination regulatory framework

General Assessment Information

All written assessments submitted electronically must be submitted through the link provided in iLearn. This unit will utilise Turnitin plagiarism detection software. Students should carefully check that they submit the correct file for an assessment, as re-submissions will not be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file in error.

The design, moderation and feedback of all assessments is in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Procedure (link provided under ‘Policies and Procedures’ below).

Late Submission Policy

A maximum penalty of five (5) percentage points of the total possible marks will be applied per day to late submissions, for up to a maximum of seven calendar days. Tasks that have not been submitted within the maximum number of additional late days will receive a mark of zero. This provision does not apply to exams or other assessment with a time limit of less than 24 hours.

Penalties for late submission will be applied consistently and equitably to all students enrolled in the unit. Where short-term, serious and unavoidable circumstances have affected their ability to submit an assessment task, a student must submit a formal application for Special Consideration as per the Special Consideration Policy. Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor.

Where an application for Special Consideration is approved, and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

Special Consideration

Students should submit applications for Special Consideration electronically via the Service Connect portal, along with the supporting documentation. Before submitting their applications, students should refer to the Special Consideration Policy (link provided under ‘Policies and Procedures’ below).

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Research Essay 40% No 08/05/2026 Individual No Open AI
Professional Skills 20% No Ongoing throughout semester Individual No Observed
Final Assessment 40% No 14/06/2026 Individual No Open AI

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 08/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

This task requires students to engage in in-depth research and reading from a wide range of sources, from which they are required to develop well-supported arguments in essay form on the topic. In writing the essay, students should demonstrate their ability to critically analyse the core issues raised by the topic, as well as an understanding of the context, relevant case law, and the broader public policy issues involved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate theoretical approaches to equality and discrimination
  • analyse the applicable dispute resolution processes
  • present well-developed arguments in response to a range of discrimination issues
  • identify potential reforms to the existing anti-discrimination regulatory framework

Professional Skills

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing throughout semester
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

Students will develop essential legal professional skills through structured classroom activities such as oral advocacy, critical reasoning, strategic problem-solving, collaborative work, team leadership, mooting, simulated client consultations, legal presentations or demonstrations, doctrinal analysis and problem solving, and/or collaborative legal research. These activities are designed to develop students’ professional capabilities including capacity to communicate legal concepts clearly and engage professionally with diverse audiences in diverse contexts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate theoretical approaches to equality and discrimination
  • apply the legislative proscription of discrimination to varying attributes and contexts
  • present well-developed arguments in response to a range of discrimination issues

Final Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 14/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

A final assessment covering the knowledge and skills taught in the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply the legislative proscription of discrimination to varying attributes and contexts
  • analyse the applicable dispute resolution processes
  • present well-developed arguments in response to a range of discrimination issues

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

The textbook for the unit is Neil Rees, Simon Rice and Dominique Allen, Australian Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Law (3rd edition, The Federation Press, 2018).

There are two online tutorial groups for this unit, with fortnightly tutorials of 2 hours each.

Group 1 commences on Thursday 5th March. Tutorial weeks are 5 March, 19 March, 2 April [Mid Sem Break ] 30 April, 14 May, 28 May.

Group 2 commences on Thursday 12th March. Tutorial weeks are 12 March,  26 March, 9 April [Mid Sem Break], 7 May, 21 May, 4 June.

Unit Schedule

This unit covers the topics listed below. Please see Ilearn for more detailed information about how (and in what order) these topics are covered in lectures, and how lectures relate to tutorials.

Topic 1 - Introduction.  What is discrimination, what is anti-discrimination legislation designed to achieve, and how best can law address inequality and discrimination

Topic 2: Core Concepts, international law and constitutional dimensions

Topic 3 - Pursuing Discrimination Complaints

Topic 4 - Direct Discrimination

Topic 5 - Indirect Discrimination

Topic 6 - Sex Discrimination

Topic 7 Disability Discrimination

Topic 8 Disability Discrimination; Age Discrimination

Topic 9 Race Discrimination 

Topic 10 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination

Topic 11 Harassment

Topic 12 The Potential and Limitations of Anti-Discrimination Law

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook