Beginning a Life in Australia Welcome to Australia dss1690. 12. 15 Edition date
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- About Australia
- Responsibilities and values
- Equality and anti-discrimination
12 Civic ParticipationIn this sectionKnowing and understanding Australian customs and laws will help you to adjust to life in the Australian community.
About AustraliaAustralia’s first inhabitants were the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who settled the land at least 40 000 years ago. Indigenous Australians have their own unique spiritual beliefs, a deep connection to the land, a rich and diverse culture and an ongoing art tradition that is one of the oldest in the world. Indigenous cultures are a vital part of Australia’s national identity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples contribute significantly to the arts, media, academia, sport and business. Information about Australia’s history, heritage and Indigenous culture is at www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/culture-and-arts Australia is an accepting, diverse society with people from many different cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds. Australians come from all over the world. Around 46 per cent of Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Although English is the national language, there are around 300 languages, including Indigenous languages, spoken in Australia. All of the world’s major religions are practised here. In Australia, everyone is free to follow and celebrate their cultural and religious traditions as long as they do not break Australian laws. Everyone can participate and belong to the community as an Australian. At first, you may not be used to such diversity. However, if you are open and respectful towards other people, their ideas and traditions, you are likely to fit in and be successful in your new life. The Australian Government supports the diversity of the Australian community, and has reaffirmed its commitment to a culturally diverse nation where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to participate in the life of the nation. To learn more about Australia, go to www.australia.gov.au/about-australia Responsibilities and valuesThe freedom and equality we enjoy in Australia depends on everyone fulfilling their responsibilities. You are expected to be loyal to Australia, support our democratic way of life and help maintain Australia’s values and traditions of acceptance, inclusion and fairness for all. Our citizenship values are the basis for Australia’s free and democratic society. They include support for:
The responsibilities of Australian citizens include:
For more information on Australian Citizenship, go to www.citizenship.gov.au and read the Australian Citizenship Test Resource Book Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Equality and anti-discriminationYou have the right to be respected and to have your needs considered as fairly as everyone else. Similarly, you should respect other people, whether they were born in Australia or migrated here. Racism and discrimination of any form are not acceptable in Australia. Under anti-discrimination laws, no person should be treated less favourably than others because of their age, race, country of origin, gender, marital status, pregnancy, political or religious beliefs, disability or sexual preference. This applies in most areas, including employment, education, accommodation, buying goods, and access to services such as doctors, banks and hotels. Men and women are equal under the law and for all other purposes. Australia has a tradition of free speech. However, it is unlawful to insult, humiliate, offend or intimidate another person or group on the basis of their age, race, country of origin, gender, marital status, pregnancy, political or religious beliefs, disability or sexual preference. The Australian Human Rights Commission administers federal law in the areas of human rights, anti-discrimination and social justice.
Each state and territory also has its own anti-discrimination law and government agency:
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