AustraliaI have a disability and my employer won't modify my workstation. What are my rights?
Under Australian law, your employer must make reasonable adjustments to your workstation unless it would cause unjustifiable hardship. This is a legal requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
What the Law Says
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) protects people with disability from discrimination in employment, including the right to reasonable adjustments to the workplace.
If you have a disability, your employer must make 'reasonable adjustments' to your work environment — such as modifying your workstation — so you can perform the inherent requirements of your job.
An adjustment is not required only if it would impose 'unjustifiable hardship' on the employer. This is assessed case-by-case, considering factors like cost, size and resources of the business, and the benefit to you.
Refusing to make a reasonable adjustment may amount to unlawful direct or indirect discrimination under the Act.
Statutory TextDiscrimination against a person on the ground of disability occurs when, because of the person's disability, the person is treated less favourably than a person without the disability...
— Disability Discrimination Act 1992, s. 5 — Direct discrimination
Statutory TextDiscrimination against a person on the ground of disability occurs when a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement or condition that a person with disability is unable to comply with...
— Disability Discrimination Act 1992, s. 6 — Indirect discrimination
Statutory TextIt is unlawful for a person to fail to make reasonable adjustments for a person with disability...
— Disability Discrimination Act 1992, s. 11 — Reasonable adjustment
What to Do
Talk with your employer about your needs and suggest practical, low-cost adjustments.
Put your request in writing and keep records of all communication.
If refused, ask your employer to explain why they believe the adjustment would cause 'unjustifiable hardship'.
Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) for free advice or to make a complaint within 12 months.
Consider seeking support from a disability advocacy service or union.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.