Hate crime laws, penalties and sentences in Australia

Hate crime laws in Australia aim to prevent and punish conduct that incites hatred, violence, or discrimination against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, gender identity, sexuality, disability and other characteristics. These laws vary across federal, state and territory jurisdictions.

Our criminal lawyers Sydney team outline Australia's hate crime laws, including federal legislation and the approaches taken by different states and territories. It examines discrete criminal offences relating to incitement, vilification, the display of hate symbols, as well as the degree to which hate motivations are taken into account at sentencing.