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Reporting racism in Victoria

No one should have to put up with racism. If you experience or witness racism or discrimination in Victoria, you can report it.

People in Victoria can report racism or racial and religious discrimination to the following organisations. These organisations have powers to receive, investigate and resolve complaints, allegations or issues.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission assists people to get information and resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, racial and religious vilification, and victimisation. For more information, visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website.

To make an enquiry or a complaint please contact the Commission by:

  • Calling 1300 292 153 weekdays from 10.00am–2.00pm
  • Email an enquiry to enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
  • Completing an online complaint form
  • Sending a letter detailing your complaint to Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053

If you need access to an interpreter call 1300 152 494 to make a report in a language other than English.

To access the National Relay Service Voice Relay call 1300 555 727 then use 1300 292 153.

If you do not want to make a formal complaint but want to tell the Commission about your experience you can use the Community Reporting Tool.

Victoria Police

Victoria Police plays an important role in enforcing the law and keeping people safe.

For emergencies, to report a crime in progress, or for immediate police attendance, call Triple Zero (000).

For non-emergencies, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or call 131 450 for a free interpreter.

You can make a report at your local police station or make a report to police online

You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or on the Crime Stoppers website.

Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission is Australia’s national human rights institution. It works to protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally. For more information, visit the Human Rights Commision website.

The Commission is leading a national anti-racism campaign, Racism. It Stops With Me.

The Commission investigates and conciliates complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights. You can make a complaint with the Commission no matter where you live in Australia.

To make a complaint complete the Human Rights Commission online complaint form.

You can contact the Commission to get more information or ask questions about a possible complaint by:

  • calling the Commission’s National Information Service on 1300 656 419
  • emailing infoservice@humanrights.gov.au
  • sending a letter to GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001.

If you require an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131450 or visit TIS website.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech or communication difficulty you can contact the Commission via the National Relay Service (NRS) as follows:

Step 1

Contact Australian Human Rights Commission through your preferred NRS call channel detailed on NRS call numbers and links.

Step 2

Provide the NRS with our phone number (02) 9284 9600. For more information visit About the National Relay Service.

eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety. It educates Australians about online safety risks and helps to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children and young people, adult cyber abuse, ‘revenge porn’ or image-based abuse, and illegal and restricted content.

eSafety can investigate online hate speech and racist or discriminatory content if it meets the threshold for one of our regulatory schemes. For example, when investigating adult cyber abuse we will consider whether the person has been targeted because of their racial or cultural background.

Visit the eSafety Commission website to find out more on how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

Reporting racism or religious discrimination in schools

The Department of Education provides information on what to do if you experience or witness racism and/or faith-based discrimination in schools: report racism or religious discrimination in schools

You can also make a report regarding a Victorian government school to the Department of Education if you are not comfortable to report to the school or are not happy with the school’s response.

To make a complaint in your language call the National Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

To make a complaint regarding a Catholic school, contact the Victorian Catholic Education Authority.

To make a complaint regarding an Independent school, contact the school directly, or refer to the Victorian Regulation and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) complaint process.

Community reporting options

There are a range of other ways to make reports. Some community organisations accept reports, provide support and undertake advocacy.

Organisations listed below have opted to be included on this website, however we note that there are other reporting options available.

Call It Out

The Call It Out register provides a simple and secure way to report incidents of racism and discrimination toward First Peoples, including systemic and structural racism.

Anyone can make a report about any form of racism and discrimination towards First Nations people.

You can make a report:

Further information and resources are available at Call It Out Resources.

Anti-Palestine Racism in Schools Register

Run by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, the Anti-Palestine Racism in Schools Register provides a simple and secure way for teachers, school staff, and parents and guardians to report incidents of anti-Palestinian racism and discrimination in their schools.

You can make a report online on the Anti-Palestine Racism in Schools Register website.

Islamophobia Support Service

Run by the Islamic Council of Victoria, Islamophobia Support Service provides holistic support to the Victorian Muslim community who have been impacted by Islamophobia.

You can make a report:

Islamophobia Register Australia

Islamophobia Register Australia offers a secure and reliable service to report any form of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism, whether it has taken place in person or online.

You can make a report online on the Islamophobia Register Australia website.

Fight Against Hate

Fight Against Hate, operated by Online Hate Prevention Institute, accepts reports of online hate content. These reports help to monitor online hate content and platforms’ responses to that content.

You can make a report to Fight Against Hate online on the Online Hate Prevention Institute website.

COVID-19 Racism Incident Report Survey

Run by the Asian Australian Alliance, the COVID-19 Racism Incident Report Survey receives reports of racism against Asian people in Australia.

You can make a report online on the Asian Australian Alliance website.

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