The objective of Positive Action is to achieve actual equality through promoting proactive group specific  measures.

It targets a specific group of persons that was discriminated against in the past, based on a common feature, and presently still experiences disadvantages. In order to balance out the factual inequality, Positive Action directly promotes individuals that belong to these groups.

The group of persons that is not targeted by Positive Action is treated unequally. This  is done in order to balance out the unequal treatment experienced by the target group before the Positive Action was taken. In general, a legal basis that regulates the framework for a justified and proportionate measure for this purpose is needed.

Occasionally, Positive Action is called positive discrimination. Positive discrimination equally aims to balance out the unequal treatment of two groups by treating one group more favourably compared to the other group, which had previously been disadvantaged. However, in contradiction to Positive Action, positive discrimination is not proportionate and justified. 

Positive Action must be differentiated from Diversity-Management or Diversity-Mainstreaming. These are often practised in the private sector. They aim at the broadly conceived promotion of diversity and tolerance, as well as an integration of disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. Usually, there is no legal basis required for this purpose. Positive Action may, however, be utilised within the framework of Diversity-Management or Diversity-Mainstreaming.