Australia does not currently protect a right to housing as a human right. This report shows the difference an Australian Human Rights Act can make by placing the right to housing at the heart of government laws, policies and services. 

Enshrining a right to housing as a human right in Australian law acknowledges and protects the importance of housing to safety, dignity, privacy and autonomy. It recognises housing’s role in providing the material goods that make these things possible, and its inclusion in laws can lead to a fairer and more equal Australia now and into the future.

The report outlines common misperceptions on what a right to housing entitles people to, Australia's existing human rights framework, local case studies and international examples.

Recommendations

1. Passage of a federal Human Rights Act that includes both a right to housing, as well as associated rights such as a right to a clean, healthy, safe and sustainable environment.
2. Passage of state and territory Human Rights Acts or Charters that include both a right to housing and a right to a clean, healthy, safe and sustainable environment and amendment of existing state and territory Human Rights Acts and Charters to incorporate the same.
3. Reforms to state and territory legislation to strengthen security of tenure and improve accessibility, habitability, climate-resilience and energy performance for social and affordable housing.
4. Action from governments across Australia to improve housing supply and affordability, including to accessible, climate-resilient and energy efficient social and affordable housing.