The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights was established in 2012. Its main function is to examine all bills and legislative instruments for compatibility with human rights, and to report to both Houses of Parliament on its findings (see the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011).

The resolution of appointment governing the committee's operation, as agreed to by both Houses in the same terms, is available here.

The committee's Guide to Human Rights provides a guide to the key human rights considered by the committee when examining legislation.

The committee's consideration of bills and legislative instruments from 2012 to present are listed in the committee's Indexes of Bills and Legislative Instruments. Note, this does not include bills and legislative instruments that the committee is yet to consider.

In August 2022 the committee celebrated its 10 year anniversary.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on 7 May 2024.

Current Inquiries

Inquiry into compulsory income management

Status: Accepting submissions
Date Referred: 27 March 2024
Submissions Close: 5 May 2024

Inquiry into Australia's Human Rights Framework

Status: Submissions Closed
Date Referred: 15 March 2023
Submissions Closed: 1 July 2023

PJCHR mailing list

To subscribe to the committee's mailing list, please send an email to human.rights@aph.gov.au with 'Subscribe PJCHR Mailing List' as the subject line.