Disability advocates recognised among finalists for 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards
This year’s Human Rights Awards finalists are fighting for inclusion and equality. From Charlotte Bailey’s campaign for fair wages, to Belinda Kochanowska’s legal advocacy and Ramnik Singh Walia’s remote access work – their impact is national.
A diverse group of Australians has been recognised for advancing equality and justice through the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards. Several finalists are being celebrated for championing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Twenty finalists were chosen from nearly 300 nominations across five categories, with Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser saying they “reflect the diverse ways people are advancing justice and equality” across healthcare, law, education and community life. Winners will be announced in Sydney on 12 December, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.
Charlotte Bailey (ACT) – Fair pay and inclusive employment
Charlotte Bailey, a 24-year-old advocate with Down syndrome, is a finalist for the Young People’s Human Rights Award for her campaign to ensure people with disabilities are paid fairly and valued in the workplace.
Bailey works two jobs – in administration and hospitality – earning standard wages, while many of her peers in supported employment are paid as little as $3 an hour under current laws. As the Down Syndrome Australia Employment Ambassador (ACT), she uses her story to push for reform, speaking at the United Nations World Down Syndrome Day event and fronting Down Syndrome Australia’s Right to Work campaign.
In an interview with The Guardian, Bailey said, “Everyone who does the same job should get the same pay,” adding that she wants more opportunities for people with disability to show what they can do. Her advocacy aligns with the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendation to phase out sub-minimum wages within the next decade.
Belinda Kochanowska (QLD) – Upholding dignity through the law
Queensland lawyer Belinda Kochanowska, a finalist for the Law Award, is recognised for using the law to uphold disability rights and restore autonomy for people in the NDIS.
As the founder of Intrepidus Law, one of Australia’s few specialist NDIS legal practices, Kochanowska has built a career representing individuals denied essential supports. She has advised on NDIS legislation before the Senate and her firm was named Small Firm of the Year by the Queensland Law Society for its commitment to justice for people with disability.
“My clients have already faced enough obstacles without being asked to climb another mountain of red tape,” she said, adding that she considers it “an honour every day to fight the battles they fight.” Kochanowska’s work demonstrates how legal advocacy can protect dignity and independence for people with disability navigating complex systems like the NDIS.
Ramnik Singh Walia (NT) – Building access and inclusion in remote communities
Northern Territory advocate Ramnik Singh Walia is a finalist for the Community Award for his leadership in improving inclusion and access for older people, people with disability, and First Nations communities in remote regions.
As a Senior Rights Advocate with the Darwin Community Legal Service, Walia delivers workshops across Arnhem Land, Katherine and Darwin, helping communities understand their rights and prevent neglect and abuse. He also launched Manymak Vibes of Arnhem, a storytelling project that celebrates disability inclusion and creativity in remote areas.
His work has led to multilingual resources in seven languages and the creation of dementia-friendly community spaces, ensuring services are culturally and physically accessible. Through advocacy and education, Walia is helping bridge the gap between urban resources and remote realities for people with disability.
Celebrating inclusion and rights
From fair pay to equal justice and community empowerment, these finalists demonstrate the many ways Australians are advancing disability rights. Their recognition highlights that human rights begin with dignity – at work, in law, and in community life.
The 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards will honour these advocates on 12 December, celebrating their efforts to make Australia a fairer, more inclusive place for all.