National inquiry key to exposing hidden racism in Australian workplaces

CEO Violet Roumeliotis said SSI welcomed calls today from the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) for a first-of-its-kind inquiry specifically focused on workplace racism.

“Racism has no place in Australia, including in Australian workplaces. Employees from all backgrounds should feel safe and welcome in workplaces across the country. Every worker should be able to pursue their careers without confronting racist barriers and attitudes,” she said.

“We commend the AHRC for this important initiative and stand ready to contribute to the inquiry to ensure the voices of our communities are heard,” she said.

SSI has spent 25 years working alongside migrant and refugee communities, and its frontline experience — backed by research from its Billion Dollar Benefit campaign — shows that workplace racism remains a daily reality for many.

“We know that racism is not just an interpersonal issue — it is embedded in the systems and structures that shape employment outcomes,” said Ms Roumeliotis.

“Almost half of permanent migrants in Australia work below their skill level. We know racism is a key factor, with migrants from non-OECD countries facing significantly higher underutilisation rates — 50 per cent — compared to 39 per cent for those from OECD countries and 35 per cent for Australian-born workers. Applicants from ‘ethnic’ backgrounds are also 57 per cent less likely to be considered for leadership roles, even when submitting identical résumés.”

Ms Roumeliotis said recruitment processes in Australia continue to discriminate against job seekers based on name and language, with identical résumés often producing different outcomes.

“Even when Australian-born workers have low English proficiency, they are still less likely to be underutilised than migrants with the same proficiency. This disparity makes it clear that language alone does not explain the gap,” she said.

“There is a weight of evidence pointing to a crisis bubbling beneath the surface of Australian workplaces. The best way to bring these issues to light — and to the forefront of national attention — is through an inquiry, as proposed by the AHRC.”

Ms Roumeliotis highlighted that addressing racism in Australian workplaces was first and foremost about fairness and equity, but that it also made sense for businesses seeking to improve their performance.

“Time and time again research has shown that workforce diversity is important for business innovation and performance, and addressing workplace racism is key to unlocking these benefits.

“At the economy-wide level, our research has shown there is a billion-dollar benefit at stake, with Australia missing out on $9 billion each year because we fail to fully harness the skills of migrants.”

The AHRC’s proposed inquiry aligns with the goals of the National Anti-Racism Framework, which SSI strongly supports. A national inquiry would help uncover racism not only in interpersonal interactions but also at institutional, structural, and systemic levels — improving Australia’s understanding of racism and informing more effective anti-racism policies and programs.

“An inquiry of this nature sends a powerful message about who we are as a nation. It affirms our commitment to respect, fairness, and opportunity for all — values that should be reflected in every Australian workplace,” said Ms Roumeliotis.

SSI looks forward to working with the AHRC and other stakeholders to advance this critical conversation and help shape a more equitable future for all Australians.

Hannah Gartrell

Head of Executive Communications and Media

0423 965 956 | press@ssi.org.au

SSI delivers a range of human services that connect individuals, families, and children from diverse backgrounds with opportunities – including settlement support, disability programs, community engagement initiatives and training and employment pathways. At the heart of everything we do is a drive for equality, empathy, and celebration of every individual.