The Racial Discrimination Act (Cth) became law in 1975. The law provides important protections for Aboriginal people, who have experienced and continue to experience racism, including direct and indirect discrimination.
The Act aims to ensure that Australians of all backgrounds are treated equally and have the same opportunities. It makes it illegal to treat someone unfairly, or to discriminate against them, on the grounds of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. It also makes racial hatred – such as racially offensive material, comments, or images – against the law. The Act applies in many areas of public life, including employment, education, accommodation, services, and public spaces.