We have launched a new suite of factsheets, based on the original guide, breaking down five of the most persistent myths and misconceptions about racism:  

1. The misconception that racism is only about individual actions and beliefs   
2. The myth of meritocracy   
3. The misconception of not “seeing” race   
4. The myth that “racism is a thing of the past”   
5. Misconceptions about anti-racism   

These resources consist of individual factsheets that unpack each of these myths and misconceptions and expand on the Myths & Misconceptions self-reflection and education guide published last year. While the original guide was intended to deepen understandings of race, racism and anti-racism in Australia, the new factsheets build on this foundation. The factsheets explore how the myths came about, and how they continue to influence our everyday lives, presented in a concise and accessible format.  

These resources have been designed to strengthen our understanding of racism and how it operates on a systemic level. Importantly, they also provide practical ways to challenge racism and enact change.

You can download the fact sheets through the links below: 

• Fact Sheet 1 
• Fact Sheet 2 
• Fact Sheet 3 
• Fact Sheet 4 
• Fact Sheet 5 

You can also download A3 poster versions of the fact sheets as well! These posters are perfect for a wide range of settings, including workplaces, libraries, schools, doctors’ offices, community centres, and many more. Wherever you display them, they’ll help spark important conversations that help to promote anti-racism. 

• A3 Poster Fact Sheet 1
• A3 Poster Fact Sheet 2
• A3 Poster Fact Sheet 3
• A3 Poster Fact Sheet 4
• A3 Poster Fact Sheet 5

Allies and Friends is an educational series designed to normalise cultural diversity and the concept of allyship in early childhood education. 

This series uses play-based learning to highlight children's voices, inviting viewers to explore new concepts with them and reflect on their own place in a diverse world.

In this series, a group of children come together to form friendships and collaborate on projects. Guided by Jenae Tien and other educators, they engage in cross-cultural communication and develop critical thinking skills. 

This toolkit for early education helps young children learn how to activate cultural allyship and encourages discussions around five key concepts:

• Allyship
• Diversity
• Love (relating to self, others, and skin tones)
• Communication
• Community

By learning about the experiences of others and recognising the importance of diversity, children can develop empathy and compassion for those around them.

The goal is for each episode to provide provocations for children to share their experiences and perspectives, learn from the unique insights of their peers, and for educators to consider practical ways to empower young children with a strong sense of belonging, while informing bigger picture social impact and change. 

INTERRUPTING STEREOTYPES

Bias and stereotypes begin to form at a very young age. Research indicates that "children as young as 3 months are aware of racial differences, and by preschool age, they make choices based on race about whom to play with and how" (Katz & Kofkin 1997; Van Ausdale & Feagin 2001; Hirschfeld 2008; Quintana & McKown 2008).

This highlights the need to educate children about diversity and inclusion from an early age to foster a more cohesive and anti racist society.

Allies and Friends is grounded in the belief that allyship is a powerful force for good that can transform communities and bring people closer together.

This toolkit encourages you to empower children in your care to engage in community storytelling, cross-cultural communication, and inclusive play with both new and old friends. By doing so, you promote empathy, understanding, and compassion.

You can access all five episodes of Allies and Friends and the toolkit through the ABC Kids website.

Background

Phase I

In March 2021, the Commission called for a National Anti-Racism Framework and released a Concept Paper outlining guiding principles, outcomes, and strategies.

The Commission then undertook consultations with peak and community organisations, service providers, government departments and agencies, experts, and community members. 100 consultations were undertaken with approximately 300 organisations. The Commission partnered with community peaks and organisations as well as government departments to conduct 10 community consultations across the nation. The Commission also called for public submissions between October 2021 and February 2022 and received 164 submissions. The Commission released its National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report in December 2022. 

Phase II 

Since then, in addition to the below community consultations, the Commission has undertaken and commissioned additional research to progress the findings from the initial scoping phase including in the areas of data collection, anti-Asian racism and health. 

This year extensive community consultations about a National Anti-Racism Framework were undertaken. This included consultations with over 496 First Nations people across Australia, from diverse populations including those with metropolitan, rural and remote backgrounds, varying ages, genders and socio-economic backgrounds, and sectoral representation. These involved one-on-one interviews and focus groups, both in place and virtual, an online survey and group submissions, ensuring a wide range of voices were heard. 

Consultations with negatively racialised communities were also conducted, led by 18 organisations and comprised of 44 community consultations with over 860 participants. The consultations were conducted across all states and territories including remote, regional, and metropolitan areas, with a majority conducted face to face and others online. They included intersectional focus areas of LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; refugees and asylum seekers; older people; young people (18-25 years); people and communities of faith; new and emerging communities; and communities with prominent caste systems.  

Shift from Interpersonal Racism to Systemic Racism 

The findings from this initial scoping process were shared in the National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report in December 2022. The Scoping Report indicated strong support from participants across the board for a Framework as an overarching and coherent approach to anti-racism. Across the board, participants affirmed that First Nations self-determination, sovereignty and truth-telling should be central to the Framework. The following themes and sectors were also identified as areas of focus:

• Data collection
• Education and Public Awareness
• Cultural Safety
• Legal protections and Justice
• Health
• Media

• Read and download the National Anti-Racism Framework
• Read and download a summary of the National Anti-Racism Framework
• Read the media release 

Related reading

The following reports have contributed to the National Anti-Racism Framework:

• Mapping government programs and policies relevant to anti-racism
• Race Reporting Handbook
• An Anti-Racism Framework: The Perspectives of Multicultural Australia
• Anti-Asian Racism Research Project
• An Anti-Racism Framework: Voices of First Nations Peoples

Acknowledgments 

The Commission recognises the ongoing strength and leadership of Australia’s First Peoples in leading anti-racism efforts since colonisation.

The Commission acknowledges the vast emotional and intellectual labour of the community, particularly those with lived experiences of racism, who shared their vision for a National Anti-Racism Framework that takes a transformative approach to addressing racism in Australia.

Image design copyright Bree Buttenshaw for Saltwater People (2024).

Divided into three parts, the anti-racism resource provides a blueprint for teachers and educators to understand and address racism.

Part one, education, outlines racism and its impacts.
 
Part two of the resource, action, addresses the actions someone can take to combat racism and have necessary conversations.

Part three of the resource, change, provides suggestions for changes teachers and educators can make to dismantle racism in education and outlines strategies for all levels of education.
 

You can learn more about the resource and download it on Reconciliation South Australia's website. 

The Anti-Palestinian Racism in Schools Register was set up by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN). The Tool is designed to collect data regarding incidents of anti-Palestinian racism, following increasing incidents of teachers, school support staff, and parents and guardians experiencing anti-Palestinian racism in schools. 

While providing a much-needed avenue for those experiencing anti-Palestinian racism in schools to share their experiences, the tool also serves to contribute to data collection efforts regarding the types and prevalence of racism in schools. 

Find out more about the Register on the APAN website. 

Visit the Anti-Racism Palestinian Racism in Schools Register directly. 

Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Toolkit

From the AITSL website:

The tool will provide a guided process of critical reflection on assumptions, attitudes, beliefs and biases in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, languages and cultures. It will develop your awareness and understanding of how these may impact on your teaching practice and learner outcomes.

The tool will pose a series of conceptual questions, prompts, or stimuli for you to consider and respond to. The purpose of these items is to help you actively engage in deep reflection and, by responding honestly, perhaps discover things you ‘didn’t know you didn’t know’.

You will receive a report that indicates a relevant starting point for your further development on a continuum of intercultural learning. From there, you will be guided to the relevant area of a capability framework to learn more about your current stage of intercultural development and find recommended actions to support your ongoing learning.

The self-reflection tool will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your results will remain private and should be used to guide your own learning or, should you choose, may be discussed with others to inform your learning plans.

AIATSIS guide to evaluating and selecting education resources 

From the AIATSIS website:

In October 2022 AIATSIS published the Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources (the Guide). The Guide assists non-Indigenous educators, and others to critically self-reflect on history and the effects that this has on pedagogical practises today.  

It allows teachers to ensure curriculum resources selected for teaching do not cause harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, but rather foster trust and build a sense of pride for all.

The Guide is underpinned by pivotal resources including:

• The Curriculum Corporation’s 1995 publication, A Resource Guide for Aboriginal Studies and Torres Strait Islander Studies;
• The Queensland Studies Authority’s 2007 document, Guidelines Indigenous Perspectives: Selecting and evaluating resources; and
• The AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research.

The Guide supports educators to make conscious and critical decisions when selecting curriculum resources, to ensure they reflect all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and cause no harm.

The Guide will also assist teachers to select appropriate resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages respectfully and effectively.

Schools Standing Up to Racism Website 

AIME webpage (opens in new window).