There are numerous legislative acts which seek to protect those in Australia from discrimination. On a Federal level the Racial Discrimination Act, Sex Discrimination Act and Disability Discrimination Act exist, among others.

On a State level there also exists the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.

There are numerous crimes involving discrimination that are considered criminal offences and in which the Police are routinely involved in both investigating and prosecuting.

Organisations that exist to promote harmony and further these laws also include the Australian Human Rights Commission, which is Federal, and the Anti-Discrimination Board NSW, which is a State-based body.

Section 18C, which has been the subject of much media attention and in the past debate, makes it an offence to act so as to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person or group of people because of race, colour, national or ethnic origin.

18C is a civil provision, meaning that breaching the section does not amount to a criminal conviction. Prior to proceeding to Court, which has happened, parties are required to undertake mediation.

The Department of Home Affairs, which is a Federal Department, is responsible for the management of immigration in Australia, including border control and decisions regarding visas and permanent residency.

The Department’s decisions can be appealed to the Courts. Those who need advice are able to seek the advice of a registered Migration Agent. It is important to ensure that when you are receiving advice on migration matters that it is from a registered Migration Agent. Not all lawyers are registered Migration Agents, and you do not have to be a lawyer to be a Migration Agent.

The ECCNSW is not a Government body. We are a state wide peak body and act as independent advocates for New South Wales’ diverse communities .

It is our role to advocate the concerns of and matters affecting cultural communities in NSW to Government and relevant bodies and individuals. While we encourage persons to come forward if they believe they have been discriminated against, we advise that they seek recourse from the above anti-discrimination bodies and source legal advice if necessary.

There are numerous organisations including Legal Aid NSW, the Redfern Legal Centre and the Kensington Legal Centre who provide means-tested, free legal advice. These organisations and others regularly provide support to members of diverse communities through interpreters and translators.

Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. We are home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. Since 1945, almost 7 million people have migrated to Australia. The rich cultural diversity is one of its greatest strengths.

For individuals to become fully contributing members of the Australian members of the Australian community there are four basic principles of the Multicultural policy.  These are based on having a Constitution, freedom of speech and religion, English as a National language, the rule of law , acceptance and equality.

Multicultural NSW is a state government agency arm of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. 

It aims to build and maintain a cohesive and harmonious society that enriches the lives of people in NSW by collaborating with peak bodies (such as ECCNSW), NGO’s, and CALD community organisations. 

Becoming an Australian citizen is a process. In order to be eligible to apply you must meet a number of requirements. To find out further information you need to visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Interpreter services are valuable in continuing a conversation where there is no communication due to a language barrier. These can take place in person, over the phone, or via video phone.

Some Interpreting government services may be free while other may have a fee. Examples of interpreting services include Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS),  Multicultural NSW Language Services, and the Department of Home Affairs Language services.