Skip to main content

Putting out the welcome mat

Learn how to build welcoming cities that celebrate diversity and ensure all residents feel safe, respected, and included in community life and local services.

Race discrimination Tool

Summary

A guide to support local governments create welcoming cities.

Putting out the Welcome Mat supports organisations to develop plans, initiatives, policy documents, partnerships and ideas to create a sense of welcome in local communities.

How to use the guide

It is designed to be used alongside The Standard for Welcoming Cities (opens in new window, PDF, 21.8MB) which is a central element of Australia’s Welcoming Cities network.

Six categories

This guide is structured around The Standard’s six categories:

1. Leadership
2. Social and Cultural Inclusion
3. Economic Development
4. Learning and Skills Development
5. Civic Participation
6. Places and Spaces

Link to the guide

Link to 'Putting out the Welcome Mat' here.

The views expressed by organisations and in resources in this hub do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Human Rights Commission or There's nothing casual about racism campaign supporters and partners.

You might also like

How to become an accredited Welcoming City

Race discrimination
Tool
15 November 2025

Creating cultures and practices for racial equity

Race discrimination
Tool
15 November 2025

Empowerment through community-led responses to racism

Race discrimination
Tool
15 November 2025

How to tell someone you love they're being racist

Race discrimination
Tool
15 November 2025

The Welcoming Cities standard

Race discrimination
Standard
15 November 2025

Checklist for creating anti-social reporting mechanisms

Race discrimination
Tool
15 November 2025

Have a question about discrimination or sexual harassment? Want to know more about human rights? Contact us if you need help.

Contact us
Subscribe to our mailing list to join a community of human rights advocates, and stay in the loop about our latest updates.