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About racial discrimination

Race Discrimination

"Portrait of two beautiful smiling women of Middle Eastern heritage, one wearing hijab.""

Australia is enriched by its multicultural population yet many individuals experience unfair treatment and racism because of how they look or where they come from. 

What is racial discrimination?

Racial discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably or denied the same opportunities as others due to their race, country of birth, ethnic origin, or skin colour.

What is the Racial Discrimination Act?

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on their:

  • Race
  • Colour
  • Country of origin
  • Ethnic origin
  • Immigration status

In 1995 the Act was extended to make racial vilification against the law.

How does the Racial Discrimination Act protect people?

The RDA protects people from racial discrimination in various areas of public life, including:

  • Employment: The RDA prohibits discrimination during job advertisements, recruitment, selection processes, training decisions, promotions, and employment terms. Examples of racial discrimination in employment include language requirements, assumptions about reliability, and unfair treatment based on race.
  • Services: The RDA makes it unlawful for service providers, including banks, insurance providers, government departments and transport providers, to discriminate against someone based on race.
  • Housing: Discrimination in renting or buying a house or unit is also unlawful under the RDA.

What does the Commission do to protect people against racial discrimination?

The Race Discrimination Commissioner works with governments, businesses, community partners, education providers, the media and workplaces to help individuals and organisations understand their rights and meet their legal responsibilities.

The Commissioner's projects include the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign. A national campaign that provides tools and resources to help people and organisations learn about racism and take action to create change.

Along with Racism. It stops with me; the Commission developed a National Anti-Racism Framework. The Framework guides actions on anti-racism by government, NGOs, businesses, educators, health professionals, police, other justice authorities, civil society, and the community.

If you have experienced racial discrimination, you can place a complaint with the Commission.

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