Current Style: Standard
Age
In general, everyone has equal rights in education, regardless of their age. However, schools and colleges can limit entry to a particular level of education offered to students above a particular age.
Here’s an example of age discrimination at school:
| Stephen moved to Australia with his family as a refugee. Because he missed a lot of school when he was younger, he is 21 years old and in Year 11. Stephen asked to be on the school’s debating team to compete against other schools. His teacher refused, saying that it would be unfair to the other schools because Stephen’s age gives him an advantage. |
There are exceptions, for situations where the law believes age does matter. For instance, sporting competitions can be restricted by age. Here’s an example:
| Jess was a year older than her friends at school and had just turned 15. Jess wanted to join her friends in the under 14’s netball team but was told she couldn’t. This is not age discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Act. |
Insurance premiums can also take account of age, if there is statistical evidence to show that age makes a difference. For instance, a car insurer could charge drivers under 25 higher premiums than older drivers, if road crash statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to have accidents than older drivers.
Equal opportunity laws do not affect specific ages at which you are legally allowed to do things. For instance, laws that set ages for voting, driving, buying alcohol, seeing certain films, consenting to your own medical treatment, etc. are not affected by age discrimination laws.
For information about the legal ages when you can do things, see When can I?.
Last updated on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 11:28.
