Change the system. Change the story.
A national campaign to address racism in workplaces as part of the Seen & Heard project.
Summary
- The Change the system. Change the story. campaign is part of the Seen & Heard project.
- The project was commissioned to understand increased racism following 7 October 2023.
- The campaign was created to address racism in workplaces following consultation with affected communities.
- Resources for addressing racism in workplaces are also available.
- The suite of campaign materials includes video content, posters, social media tiles and infographics sheets.
Watch video
Campaign overview
Racism can hide in our workplace systems, writing the story of who belongs and who doesn't, whose rights matter and whose don't. It makes people feel unseen, unheard and unsafe.
But if we change the system, we can change the story. We can help everyone feel they belong, help protect everyone's rights and let everyone feel seen, heard and safe.
This behaviour change campaign seeks to increase awareness of racism in workplaces and inspire supervisors and workers to take action to address racism in their workplaces.
The campaign will run for 6 weeks from 22 July and will include a social media advertising campaign as well as engagement with media, employers, business and community organisations. The campaign is a deliverable of the Seen & Heard project funded by the Department of Home Affairs.
The campaign is designed to encourage decision-makers in workplaces to:
Listen
Create safe, trusted ways for people who experience racism to speak about what is happening at work and what needs to change. This includes regular conversations about racism and reporting processes that are clear, timely and safe.
Learn
Build understanding of what workplace racism looks like and how everyday rules, policies and decisions can create unequal outcomes. Use practical guidance to review workplace systems and identify where change is needed.
Lead
Take responsibility for addressing racism through leadership action. Act when racism occurs, change workplace rules and decisions, and support pathways into leadership for people with lived experience of racism.
Why this campaign matters
Racism often hides in the everyday rules, policies and decisions that shape how work gets done. Over time, these choices influence who belongs, whose voices are heard and whose rights are protected. The impact can build quietly, leaving people feeling unseen, unheard and unsafe.
Changing this takes time and effort. But it can be done. And when change begins, the story people experience begins to change too.
When leaders commit to addressing racism, teams feel safer, work better together and are more likely to retain good people.
Because when you change the system, you change the story.
Background
This campaign was developed and produced as part of our Seen & Heard initiative, a national project led by the Commission and funded by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Seen & Heard project was established in response to increased racism faced by specific communities in Australia following the events of 7 October 2023 and their aftermath. The project engaged directly with communities to understand their experiences and concerns, and to learn from their proposed solutions. Insights gained from meetings with community leaders and consultation sessions with affected community members informed the campaign.
This campaign was also informed by thousands of people who shared their experiences of racism in consultations for the Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework and our Respect@Uni study.
Many told us the workplace was a key setting where they experienced:
- Increased discrimination, including being excluded, harassed and vilified
- Silencing and penalisation, including being monitored and censored for speaking up about racism
- Lack of safety when expressing identity, grief or solidarity, and an absence of culturally safe spaces and inclusive policies
- Job loss or job insecurity, including for raising concerns about racism
Find out more about the project.
Resources
Race discrimination minimum standards resource
This resource was developed by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Creating inclusive multi-faith workplaces
This resource was developed to help Australian organisations move from accommodating the religious beliefs and expressions of their staff, to building inclusive workplaces which respect and respond to diversity in faith affiliation and experience.
Counting Culture
What to ask to measure cultural diversity in your organisation.
Guides for organisations and business owners
Access guides, training resources and tools to prevent discrimination, respect human rights and build diverse, inclusive workplaces for all employees.
Preventing discrimination in your workplace
Learn how to create a fair, safe and inclusive workplace by understanding your legal responsibilities and implementing practical discrimination prevention
Anti-racism training
Build inclusive workplaces free from race discrimination with training on cultural awareness, discrimination law obligations and practical change strategies.
Spread the word
How you can help
Workplaces and individuals have an important role to play in changing the conditions that allow racism to persist.
1. Use the resources provided to start meaningful conversations with your teams, leadership groups and networks.
2. Download the campaign materials
Print and display the infographics and posters in visible workplace spaces and use them as conversation guides for meetings and onboarding.
3. Share the campaign across your organisation’s social media channels using the provided images, videos and copy.
4. Read more from the Australian Human Rights Commission about race discrimination and your rights.
Download the amplification kit
Campaign amplification kit
Help promote the campaign across your organisation’s social media channels using the provided images, videos and copy.
More resources
Learn more about race discrimination, how to respond and what work the Commission is doing.
Support services
Access counselling, legal advice and other support services if you have experienced or witnessed racism, including mental health and legal aid.
