Everyone has a right to equal access to goods and services.

Businesses are legally obliged to prevent discrimination and harassment when providing goods, facilities or services to the public.

This applies to all businesses no matter how large or small, regardless of whether the goods or services are paid for or free, including:

  • shops and restaurants
  • access to and use of public places
  • transport or travel
  • any profession or trade
  • councils and government departments
  • banks, credit and insurance providers
  • employment agencies
  • scholarships, prizes and awards
  • entertainment and recreation
  • introduction agencies
  • sport, including coaching and umpiring.

This section provides an overview of how discrimination can happen when providing goods and services. It explains the legal responsibilities your business or organisation has to respond to discrimination and harassment, as well as some useful tools to prevent it from happening.

Customer service Difficult customers Shops and services toolkit