CANBERRA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia is set to lead the way with a world-first independent national investigation into sexual harassment in the workplace.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will launch the inquiry, which it said on Wednesday would mark a "huge step" towards ensuring sexual harassment was not something employees should ever have to endure.

The in-depth 12-month study will be carried out by the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, who said there was a growing "appetite for change" and an increasing understanding that sexual harassment was unacceptable and preventable.

"We need to continue working to create a society where this kind of conduct is unthinkable," Jenkins said in a media release published on Wednesday.

"We have all the functions to make sure we can help Australia lead the globe on finding new solutions for sexual harassment.

"The ultimate aim is we will have much better guidance on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in the current climate."

The Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer said the federal government had ordered the AHRC to investigate the issue, and make recommendations to employers, in response to growing community pressure.