Leslie Massey
Racism in Australia has been a prevalent issue for many years. While the country has made some progress in addressing it, reports and surveys indicate that racism remains pervasive in Australian society, impacting the everyday lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of African descent, and other racial minorities. This paragraph will delve into the state of racism in Australia, exploring its impact on various communities and the efforts to combat it.
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What You'll Learn
Racism against First Nations peoples
A 2024 report from the Australian Human Rights Commission found that racism remains prevalent in Australian society. This is reflected in the growing rate of online racism on social media platforms, which has negatively impacted the well-being of individuals and communities. The lack of comprehensive hate crime laws in Australia places the burden of reporting discrimination and seeking justice on individuals.
First Nations peoples in Australia uniquely experience racism as the continent's first inhabitants, continuing to endure the legacies of colonisation. They face racial discrimination in various forms, including being treated rudely, with disrespect, ignored, insulted, harassed, stereotyped, or discriminated against due to their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin. This discrimination has been recognised as a significant health determinant, contributing to health inequalities between First Nations peoples and other Australians.
In 2021, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey revealed that one-third of respondents aged 15 or older had felt treated unfairly in the previous year because of their heritage. The Reconciliation Barometer survey found that 43% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents experienced racial prejudice in the last six months, compared to 20% of the rest of the community. Furthermore, younger First Nations people reported experiencing higher levels of racism than other age groups.
The impact of racism on the physical and mental health of First Nations peoples has been significant. They have survived and thrived over millennia, but since colonisation, their empowerment has been undermined by ongoing manifestations of racism. Efforts have been made to address the health gap between First Nations peoples and other Australians, but the gap persists due to institutional racism and overt discrimination.
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Racist violence and hate crime
Australia has seen a significant increase in racist attitudes and actions in recent years, with a near 40% rise in racism over the past decade. This includes racist violence and hate crimes, which are a pervasive issue in the country. The 1991 National Inquiry into Racist Violence revealed that many Indigenous people and those from non-English speaking backgrounds live in constant fear of violence and harassment due to their differences. This issue persists, with the Australian Reconciliation Barometer reporting a notable increase in racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 39% in 2014 to 54% in 2024.
Young First Nations people, in particular, have reported higher levels of racism than older generations. The impact of the 2023 Voice Referendum campaign on First Nations people has been significant, with 61% of 18-24-year-olds believing Australia is a racist country, compared to 41% of the general community. This suggests that younger generations are more aware of the structural systems that reinforce racist behaviours and outcomes. The increased inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history in school curricula has likely contributed to this heightened awareness.
People of African descent in Australia also face multifaceted forms of racial discrimination, xenophobia, and systemic racism. UN experts have expressed concern over issues such as racial profiling, racial slurs, abuse of authority, over-policing, and targeting and violence directed at this community. Additionally, South Sudanese refugees have reported high rates of incarceration, indefinite detention, mental health issues, and suicide, exacerbated by severe and pervasive racism that impacts their sense of belonging.
To address these issues, Australia has implemented measures such as the Racial Hatred Act, which aims to provide legal recourse for those affected by serious expressions of racism. The Act covers all aspects of Australian society and applies to people from all walks of life. However, it has been the subject of debate regarding its potential restriction of freedom of expression. The NSW Police Force also has a dedicated Engagement and Hate Crime Unit that works to investigate hate-motivated incidents and crimes.
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Australians' denial of racism
Racism in Australia has been a prevalent issue since British colonisation, with Indigenous peoples facing severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, in addition to discrimination, violence, and genocide. Despite this, there is a culture of denial when it comes to racism in Australia, with many Australians believing that while racism may exist, it is not a significant issue due to their celebration of multiculturalism. This denial of racism is seen as a form of racist violence that perpetuates racist behaviour.
Various reports and surveys have indicated a significant rise in racism over the past decade, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experiencing a notable increase in racism. The Australian Reconciliation Barometer reported a jump from 39% in 2014 to 54% in 2024 for this group. Younger First Nations people reported higher levels of racism than other age groups, and 61% of 18-24-year-olds believe Australia is a racist country, compared to 41% of the general community.
In addition to Indigenous Australians, other ethnic groups have faced shocking rates of racism. African Australians have been exposed to racial discrimination, xenophobia, and systemic racism, with high rates of incarceration, indefinite detention, and mental health issues. Asian Australians have also faced increasing instances of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online hate and racism are prevalent, with 43% of non-white Australian employees experiencing racism at work and only a quarter believing their employers take action. Racism is also evident in Australian sports, with racial abuse and vilification reported, leading to underrepresentation of Aboriginal and other ethnic groups.
Despite Australians' pride in their multicultural society, the denial of racism is a form of violence that enables racist behaviour to continue. The first step towards eradicating racism is acknowledging its existence and taking active anti-racist steps to dismantle racial inequity.
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Anti-immigration sentiments
Australia has a complex history of racism and anti-immigration sentiments. While the country has made efforts to reconcile and address these issues, reports and surveys indicate that racism and anti-immigration sentiments remain prevalent.
In 2025, Australia's national survey tracking reconciliation reported a nearly 40% increase in racism over the past decade. This includes a significant jump in racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with younger First Nations people reporting higher levels of racism. These findings align with the perspectives of young Australians, as 61% of 18-24-year-olds believe Australia is a racist country.
Various factors contribute to these sentiments. One factor is the country's settler-colonial past and its historical "White Australia" immigration policy, which was only dropped in 1973. The legacy of this policy continues to impact the First Nations peoples, including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander communities. Additionally, there is a perception among some Australians that immigrants are "swamping" or "flooding" the country, leading to fears about losing their national identity. This anxiety is reflected in the Lowy Institute's polling, which showed that 54% of Australians supported curbing immigration to prevent Australia from becoming "too open" and risking its national identity.
The impact of political rhetoric and media representation cannot be understated. Politicians and media outlets have been accused of using racist hate speech and perpetuating negative racial stereotypes. For example, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott advocated for cuts to immigration rates, and other politicians have joined the debate, wanting the current immigration levels halved. This rhetoric may have influenced the shift in attitudes, as reflected in the Lowy Institute's 2018 poll, which showed that more than 50% of Australians preferred a lower annual immigration intake.
Furthermore, social media platforms, such as TikTok, have become breeding grounds for anti-immigration and racist sentiments masquerading as patriotism. These accounts often target specific groups, such as Indians and other Asian immigrants, promoting fear and misinformation about multiculturalism.
While Australians have a love-hate relationship with immigration, it is important to recognize that younger Australians tend to be more positive about the benefits of immigration. They recognize the positive impact on the economy and the strengthening of the country through immigrants' hard work and talents. However, older Australians are more likely to view immigrants as a burden on the social welfare system.
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Systemic and institutional racism
Racism in Australia is a systemic and widespread issue, affecting the lives of many. It is a complex problem that requires a range of solutions, interventions, and actions to address its multifaceted nature. Systemic racism is deeply ingrained in Australian society, impacting various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, employment, and the justice system.
One of the stark manifestations of systemic racism in Australia is the persistent discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians. They have endured severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, as well as genocide, forced removals, and massacres throughout history. This discrimination continues today, with Indigenous Australians facing barriers in accessing essential resources and services due to institutional racism. For example, more than half of Indigenous Australians reported experiencing discrimination in educational institutions, and they are underrepresented in Australian sports due to fears of racial vilification.
Racism in Australia also extends to Australians of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. In recent years, Asian Australians, particularly those of Chinese and Indian descent, have faced severe instances of racism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian racism spiked, with the Australian Human Rights Commission receiving a high number of racial discrimination complaints. Additionally, international students from India reported racially-motivated attacks in Melbourne and Sydney, impacting Australia's economy and reputation.
The Australian media has also been criticised for perpetuating systemic racism. Since 2016, several ground-breaking reports have exposed structural forms of racism in the media, contributing to discrimination and negative stereotypes of people of colour and First Nations communities. Furthermore, right-wing extremists have been accused of inflaming racist sentiments in the community, with their campaigns emboldening those with racist views and resulting in increased racist abuse directed at First Nations Peoples.
To combat systemic and institutional racism, Australia requires a comprehensive approach. The Australian Government must lead the way by implementing a national anti-racism framework and addressing racism in all its forms across public and private institutions. This includes introducing preventative measures, reviewing policies and procedures, and providing mandatory anti-racism training to foster a more inclusive society.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no definitive answer to this question, several studies and surveys indicate that racism is prevalent in Australia. A 2024 report from the Australian Human Rights Commission found that racism remains commonplace in Australian society. The 2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer survey reported a significant jump in racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from 39% in 2014 to 54% in 2024. Additionally, a 2020 study found that 60% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people agreed that Australia is a racist country.
According to the 2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer survey, 54% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents reported experiencing racism in 2024. This is a significant increase from 39% in 2014. The survey also found that younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced higher levels of racism than other age groups, with 63% of 18-24-year-olds and 68% of 25-34-year-olds reporting at least one form of racial prejudice in the previous six months.
While there is no specific percentage available, there is evidence of racist sentiments towards people of Asian descent in Australia. A scroll through Australian TikTok influencers' social media feeds reveals anti-immigration and racist sentiments masquerading as patriotism. These accounts have a significant number of followers, suggesting that these views are more widely held than previously thought. Additionally, a 2010 report by the Tourism Forecasting Committee mentioned a 46% drop in Indian student visa applications to Australia due to racially-motivated attacks, indicating a perception of racism towards people of Indian descent.
