In New South Wales (NSW), it is illegal for a landlord or agent to discriminate against potential tenants based on the following characteristics:

Race

Sex

Pregnancy

Age

Disability (including diseases and illnesses)

Marital or domestic partner status

Sexual orientation

Gender identity

 

This prohibition extends to any rules, policies, practices, or procedures that unfairly disadvantage a particular group. Here are some examples:

Offering rental terms that differ based on any of the characteristics listed above, or demanding a higher income than necessary.

Enforcing a blanket 'no pets' rule that fails to consider the needs of disabled tenants, such as those who require a guide dog.

Imposing unrealistic limits on the number of occupants allowed, which may unfairly impact individuals who are pregnant.

Creating overly complicated application forms that make the process more difficult for recently arrived migrants.

It’s important to note that landlords or agents are within their rights not to rent to smokers, tenants with poor tenancy records, or individuals with past issues related to rent payments.

 

Help and Support

For more information about discrimination and your rights, visit the Department of Communities and Justice website. If you believe you have faced discrimination while applying for a rental property, there are resources available to help you.

Laws at the federal, state, and territory levels exist to protect individuals from discrimination. If you wish to file a complaint regarding discriminatory practices, you can reach out to Anti-Discrimination NSW for assistance.