Race discrimination case studies

Case studies are provided to help explain the complaints process. They are intended as a guide only and should not be considered or used as legal advice. Outcomes from conciliation vary depending on individual circumstances. Parties to complaints should seek independent legal advice if they require advice about outcomes appropriate to their circumstances. Before lodging a complaint, please speak with an enquiries officer on 1800 670 812.

Employment 

Student complaints about teaching methods raise concerns
January 2025: Sandra* is an educator who received feedback that raised race discrimination concerns.
Chinese man asked how to pronounce Asian surname
November 2022: Michael* is Chinese and was asked how to pronounce an Asian surname.
Inappropriate remarks about ethnicity and religious identity
April 2022: Yousef* is Muslim and has a Palestinian background.
Job offer withdrawn because woman wears hijab
June 2022: Aaliyah* is a young woman of Palestinian decent.
Gym trainer leaves job after racist comments
April 2021: Ben* is an Aboriginal man and was working as a casual trainer for a gym.
Racially abused at work
February 2018: Craig* worked as a bartender and courtesy bus driver for a registered club.
Dismissed after complaint about racist comments
March 2017: Alice* worked as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer.

Education 

Religious headwear doesn’t comply with school uniform policy
September 2022: Mandeep* is Sikh.
Asked to provide proof of English proficiency
September 2014: Wang Wei* is a student.

Goods and services

Inadequate service at five-star restaurant
August 2024: Raj* and his partner are of Indian background. They attended a five-star restaurant.
Banned from club for life
May 2024: Sally* is an Aboriginal woman who attended a Sorry Business function.
Targeted because of race when buying in bulk at supermarket
July 2022: Jasmine* regularly makes large purchases of groceries for her family.
Served last at bank
June 2022: John*, a Caucasian man, went to a bank to open a new savings account.
Australian visa considered insufficient for phone plan
February 2022: Amara* resides in NSW on an Australian visa.
Told to go home to own country
June 2021: Hung* is an Asian man.
Denied entry to hotel due to race
June 2020: Haoran* and Kai* were denied entry to a hotel by a security guard.
Barred from hotel
December 2016: Isaac* is a Maori man and a regular drinker at his local hotel.

Accommodation

Aboriginal woman threatened with eviction
June 2024: Amanda* is an Aboriginal woman.
Agent claimed advertised flat already rented out
June 2024: Rob* is an Aboriginal man and the father of three school age children.
Refused private rental lease
June 2024: Sarah* is an Aboriginal woman and a single parent.
Tenant claims racial discrimination by housing provider
June 2021: Samuel* is an Aboriginal man.
Refused housing
October 2016: Lilly* is an Aboriginal woman.
Certificate of Aboriginality required
December 2014: Daniel* is an Aboriginal man.

Registered clubs 

Man makes racist comments to a woman at a club
July 2018: Niu* is a Polynesian-Australian woman.
Served last at golf club
March 2015: Amy* is an Aboriginal woman.

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