What to do if you’re sexually harassed at work

Talk to someone you trust about what happened. This could be someone at work, a friend or a health professional.

You could tell the person their behaviour is inappropriate and ask them to stop if it is safe to do so.

You don’t have to speak to the person or talk to anyone else about what happened before coming to the Commission. It’s your choice.

You could try to resolve the issue using support available at your work.

You could start by speaking to the:

• supervisor or manager
• human resources department
• health and safety representative
• union representative
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if available – you may be able to use this to access free professional counselling.

Your workplace may have sexual harassment policies and processes in place. Think about whether you want to make a formal or informal complaint to human resources or your manager so it can be investigated. 

Depending on what has happened, different government bodies might be able to help you.

Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman has information for people who may have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace and for employers, including about protections from sexual harassment, prevention and managing sexual harassment in the workplace. Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website at Sexual harassment in the workplace.

Get legal advice

Find out where to find legal help, including free legal advice for eligible people from the Commission’s Workplace Advice Service.

Contact the Commission

Commission staff on our Helpline can give you information on:

• who can apply to the Commission
• Commission processes 
• how to make or respond to a claim about sexual harassment at work
• how to fill out a form
• where to find helpful information such as our Orders to stop sexual harassment benchbook 
• other organisations that might be able to help.

Commission staff can’t give you legal advice or tell you how to run your case.

Find out who can apply to the Commission to stop sexual harassment at work.

You can also find useful information about who to contact about:

• sexual harassment and discrimination
• sexual harassment and the general protections and
• sexual harassment and work health and safety.

Apply to the Commission to stop sexual harassment at work

You may be eligible to apply to the Commission for orders to stop sexual harassment at work.

Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission

If you have experienced sexual harassment for discriminatory reasons, you may be able to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Its website also has links to support services for sexual harassment, sexual assault, mental health, rape, domestic violence and work health and safety in each state and territory

Call the police

Some forms of sexual harassment are also crimes.

To find out more, contact your local police station on 131 444 (Australia wide).

When you are part of a case at the Fair Work Commission, it can be a stressful time. Help is available so you can look after your mental health and wellbeing.