Australia must address poverty, housing crisis and strengthen human rights: UN review

Monday, 2 March 2026  

UN review urges Australia to address poverty, housing crisis and strengthen human rights 

The Australian Human Rights Commission has urged the Federal Government to act on a major UN review that found Australia must do more to protect people’s economic and social human rights. 

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights released its Concluding Observations on Australia over the weekend, identifying serious shortcomings and recommending reforms - including the adoption of a national Human Rights Act.  

It follows Australia’s February appearance before the Committee in Geneva, where experts examined the Government’s record and heard evidence from the Commission and civil society. 

‘These findings set out a compelling agenda for action,’ President Hugh de Kretser said. ‘The UN Committee has shown where Australia can and must do better to ensure everyone’s basic rights are respected and upheld. 

‘As Australians continue to face cost of living pressures, this offers a clear roadmap for how we can better protect people who doing it tough. Access to secure and affordable housing, fair income support and essential services are central to building a more inclusive and resilient Australia. 

‘The Committee has outlined practical reforms that would improve lives, from stronger social supports to a fair climate transition. Acting on these recommendations will help create a fairer and more cohesive society. 

‘The UN’s findings also highlighted the need for a national Human Rights Act. This would protect people’s rights in Australian law, help to prevent harm and build understanding of human rights. We strongly support this recommendation.’ 

What the UN found 

The UN Committee raised serious concerns about issues including: 

• Australia’s tax settings are reinforcing inequality and limiting the capacity to fund essential services. 

• Poverty, homelessness and low social security payments are leaving people without a basic standard of living. 

• Inclusive education for children with disability needs to progress faster. 

• Automated decision making in social security needs stronger safeguards. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to face entrenched disadvantage and must have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their rights. 

• Climate change is already harming people’s rights; the transition must be faster and fairer. 

• Offshore asylum arrangements remain a serious concern. 

Key recommendations 

The Committee set out practical reforms to lift living standards, strengthen protections and improve access to essential services: 

• Lift social security payment rates so people can meet basic living costs. 

• Adopt a national housing strategy that recognises the right to adequate housing, increases social and affordable homes and strengthens tenant protections. 

• Accelerate the shift to renewable energy while safeguarding affected communities and embedding genuine participation of First Peoples in law and policy decisions. 

• Strengthen human rights protections through an Australian Human Rights Act and stronger discrimination laws including religious discrimination protections and amendments to Sex Discrimination Act exemptions. 

• Stronger action on modern slavery and a national plan on business and human rights. 

• Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. 

Australian Government response 

The Committee has required a formal update from the Australian Government within 24 months on three priority actions: 

• Amend the Modern Slavery Act to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence. 

• Develop a national poverty reduction strategy. 

• Adopt a human rights-based national housing strategy. 

President de Kretser said the Australian Government should establish a plan to implement the recommendations. 

‘These findings present an important opportunity to improve people’s lives in Australia. We look forward to working with the Australian Government, civil society and communities to advance these reforms to build a fairer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous Australia for all.’ 

About the review 

• The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has released its Concluding Observations on Australia after reviewing the country’s performance under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).  

• The Committee of 18 independent experts examines each country every five to six years. Australia appeared before the Committee in Geneva on 17 February 2026, with the review informed by reports from the Government, the Commission and civil society. 

• ICESCR sets out rights including an adequate standard of living, social security, health, education, fair work conditions, a healthy environment and cultural rights. These must be realised without discrimination and with the continuous improvement of living conditions. 

Next steps for Government 

• Report back to the UN within 24 months on three priorities: reform to the Modern Slavery Act to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence, a national poverty strategy and a human rights-based national housing strategy. 

• Circulate the Concluding Observations across government, Parliament and the community. 

• Table the Observations in Parliament with a ministerial statement outlining the Government’s response.