Relationship between human needs and human rights

Human needs are the basic things needed to survive, grow, develop and thrive, as illustrated in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Community services aim to address these needs and ensure that people receiving services have not only their basic survival needs met, but also their social, developmental and psychological needs. Human rights include the fundamental right to have human needs met. State legislation governing disability services, mental health services, domestic violence, child protection and children’s services, forms a framework for meeting needs and supporting rights.

Acts supporting human rights and addressing needs include:

• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth)
• Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)