How do Australians show respect for cultural differences?

Australians show respect for cultural differences in many practical ways, from accommodating religious holidays in workplaces and schools, to supporting community-language programs, to using Welcome to Country at the start of public events. The country's more than 270 ancestries and 300 languages produce an everyday experience of cultural difference that has shaped social norms across decades.

Workplaces and schools accommodate religious observance routinely. Employers allow leave for Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Yom Kippur, Easter, and other major holidays. Schools schedule events to avoid major religious holidays where possible. Catering at public events typically caters for halal, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan needs. Prayer rooms and quiet spaces are common in airports, universities, hospitals, and large workplaces. School uniforms accommodate religious dress including hijab, kippah, and turban.

Community language and cultural support are funded through public programmes. The Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 provides free interpreting in more than 160 languages. The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) broadcasts in more than 60 languages. The Adult Migrant English Programme (AMEP) provides free English instruction. Community language schools, supported by state government funding, teach more than 90 languages on Saturdays and after school. Settlement services for new migrants and refugees, delivered through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) programme, support orientation and integration.

Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures has expanded in recent decades. Welcome to Country ceremonies, led by Traditional Owners of the land where an event is held, and Acknowledgement of Country, made by anyone else, are now near-universal practice at official functions, school assemblies, and workplace events. NAIDOC Week each July, National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June, and National Sorry Day on 26 May are widely observed. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags are flown alongside the National Flag at most government buildings. Cultural tourism through visits to Aboriginal art centres, joining Indigenous-led tours of country, and learning local language place names is increasingly common.