National Anti-Racism Framework

Image design copyright Bree Buttenshaw for Saltwater People (2024).

Developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission with dedicated funding from the Australian Government, the National Anti-Racism Framework provides a roadmap for governments, business and community organisations to address all forms of racism in Australia.

The Framework contains 63 recommendations for a whole of society approach to eliminating racism, with proposed reforms across Australia’s legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as workplaces and data collection.

The Framework was launched in late November 2024 in western Sydney at an event attended by hundreds of representatives of Australia’s diverse cultural communities.

Background

Phase I

In March 2021, the Commission called for a National Anti-Racism Framework and released a Concept Paper outlining guiding principles, outcomes, and strategies.

The Commission then undertook consultations with peak and community organisations, service providers, government departments and agencies, experts, and community members. 100 consultations were undertaken with approximately 300 organisations. The Commission partnered with community peaks and organisations as well as government departments to conduct 10 community consultations across the nation. The Commission also called for public submissions between October 2021 and February 2022 and received 164 submissions. The Commission released its National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report in December 2022.

Phase II

Since then, in addition to the below community consultations, the Commission has undertaken and commissioned additional research to progress the findings from the initial scoping phase including in the areas of data collection, anti-Asian racism and health.

This year extensive community consultations about a National Anti-Racism Framework were undertaken. This included consultations with over 496 First Nations people across Australia, from diverse populations including those with metropolitan, rural and remote backgrounds, varying ages, genders and socio-economic backgrounds, and sectoral representation. These involved one-on-one interviews and focus groups, both in place and virtual, an online survey and group submissions, ensuring a wide range of voices were heard.

Consultations with negatively racialised communities were also conducted, led by 18 organisations and comprised of 44 community consultations with over 860 participants. The consultations were conducted across all states and territories including remote, regional, and metropolitan areas, with a majority conducted face to face and others online. They included intersectional focus areas of LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; refugees and asylum seekers; older people; young people (18-25 years); people and communities of faith; new and emerging communities; and communities with prominent caste systems.

Shift from Interpersonal Racism to Systemic Racism

The findings from this initial scoping process were shared in the National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report in December 2022. The Scoping Report indicated strong support from participants across the board for a Framework as an overarching and coherent approach to anti-racism. Across the board, participants affirmed that First Nations self-determination, sovereignty and truth-telling should be central to the Framework. The following themes and sectors were also identified as areas of focus:

Data collection
Education and Public Awareness
Cultural Safety
Legal protections and Justice
Health
Media

Acknowledgments

The Commission recognises the ongoing strength and leadership of Australia’s First Peoples in leading anti-racism efforts since colonisation.

The Commission acknowledges the vast emotional and intellectual labour of the community, particularly those with lived experiences of racism, who shared their vision for a National Anti-Racism Framework that takes a transformative approach to addressing racism in Australia.

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Mapping government programs and policies relevant to anti-racism

This report enhances the Commission’s understanding of how Australia's national, state, territory and local governments engage in anti-racism work. It describes the nature and scope of their policies and programs over the past five years.

Race Reporting Handbook

The handbook contains principles and checklists for anti-racist journalistic and editorial practices, including recruitment for greater diversity in media workplaces and inclusive storytelling.

Cover of Anti-Racism Framework: The Perspectives of Multicultural Australia featuring drawing of man, woman and child with head coverings and traditional dress

An Anti-Racism Framework: The Perspectives of Multicultural Australia

This report presents the findings and recommendations that followed consultations with more than 1200 people with lived experience of racism from across Australia, enhancing the Commission’s understanding of the prevalence and impact of racism in the country.

Cover for Anti-Asian Racism Research Report with animation of multi racial family

Anti-Asian Racism Research Project

Explore the Commission's anti-racism resources addressing settler colonialism, systemic racism, and anti-Asian racism in Australia, featuring expert insights and community-led solutions.

National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report

In March 2021, the Commission released a proposal for a National Anti-Racism Framework in response to enduring community calls for national action after heightened experiences of racism and racial inequality in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An Anti-Racism Framework: Voices of First Nations Peoples

This report serves as a foundational document for the development of a National Anti-Racism Framework.

Drawing from extensive consultations with over 496 contributors from city, remote and rural backgrounds. These voices not only highlight the urgent need for action, but also serve as a clarion call for systemic solutions to eradicate racism.