Overview
Measures under Goal 20 have improved
Over short term First Peoples’ experiences of racism have slightly decreased. However, over the long term their experiences remained consistent. First Peoples are vastly over-represented when it comes to experiencing racism. First Peoples’ day to day lives are heavily impacted by racists cultures and structures implemented and maintained by colonisation.
One of the difficulties in understanding the totality of racism in Victoria is inconsistent data collection and reporting. There currently is only one survey that consistently asks and publishes racism experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
Closing the Gap – Relevant Outcomes and Targets for Goal 20
The National Agreement does not contain outcomes and targets that align with this VAAF goal. Victoria is pursuing more ambitious and comprehensive goals under the VAAF, which are reported on in this chapter and the Data Dashboard.
Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally
Not applicable.
Data Note
The latest year of available data varies across the Report due to the inconsistent frequency of collection of survey data and lags in processing administrative data. Data in this Report is the most up to date available for publishing.
No new data was available at the time of reporting for:
- Measure 20.1.1a Number and proportion of Aboriginal and All persons who report having experienced at least 1 form of racial prejudice in the previous 6 months
- Measure 20.1.1b Number of complaints made by an Aboriginal person to the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
- Measure 20.1.2 Prevalence of racist attitudes against Aboriginal Victorians held by the Victorian community
Historical data for these measures is available on the First Peoples – State Relations website
20.1 Address and eliminate racism
Measure 20.1.1 Proportion of Aboriginal people who report having experienced racism in the previous 6 months
In 2023, 17.5 per cent of First Peoples responders to the Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) reported that they had experienced any form of racism in the past 12 months. This is a decrease from the 2022 survey with 20.6 per cent reporting experiencing racism. Over the long-term experiences of racism have remained relatively steady with 18.5 per cent of First Peoples respondents experiencing racism in 2017.
These results do not reflect the full lived experience of First Peoples in Victoria over this period. 2023 was notably when Australia voted on the Indigenous Voice Referendum. The If You Don’t Think Racism Exists Come Take a Walk With Us report published by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research analysed 453 incidents of racism recorded on the Call It Out register from 21 March 2023 to 20 March 2024. Over this period 18 per cent of racism reports were directly related to the Voice referendum. 20 per cent of all registrations were recorded in Victoria, a significant overrepresentation compared with other jurisdictions. [26]
Victoria’s Anti-racism Strategy
Self-determination Enabler 3. Address racism and promote cultural safety
Victoria’s Anti-racism Strategy (Strategy) was launched on 27 November 2024 and is 5-year plan to tackle racism and discrimination so we can build a safer, fairer and more inclusive state. The Strategy elevates the experiences of First Peoples and identifies systemic causes of racism directed at First Peoples.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s First Peoples – State Relations Group and Multicultural Affairs Portfolio worked together throughout all phases of the Strategy’s development, including developing a communication and engagement plan to engage First Peoples stakeholders and address feedback, and providing support for the Anti-Racism Taskforce (Taskforce) to guide the Strategy.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet continues to support the work of the Taskforce, including work to increase First Peoples representation to ensure that the experiences and voices of First Peoples contribute to the development of anti-racism initiatives.
Footnotes
Culture and Country
The richness and diversity of Aboriginal history and culture in Victoria and the resilience and strength of Aboriginal communities and peoples, is something for all Victorians to celebrate.
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