Definitions
As a starting point, DCA notes that cultural diversity in Australia is likely to be made up of the following attributes:
- Cultural layers
- Ethnicity
- Ethnic origin
- Country of birth
- Religious (or non-religious) affiliation
State of play in Australia
Australia has a unique history that has shaped the diversity of its peoples, their cultures and lifestyles today. Three major contributors to Australia's demographic make-up are a diverse Indigenous population, a British colonial past and extensive immigration from many different countries and cultures. In addition to our rich Indigenous cultures, Australia is a nation built on the migrant experience and consequently is one of the most diverse countries in the world. In this, the United Nations declared International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, Australian society is a microcosm of the entire world and faces a similar challenge to live harmoniously, with respect and cooperation regardless of culture, language or religion.
Today, there are approximately 22 million Australians, speaking almost 400 languages, including Indigenous languages, identifying with more than 270 ancestries and observing a wide variety of cultural and religious traditions. Australia remains a socially stable country, not despite its cultural diversity, but because of the acceptance of it and the firm belief that diversity is one of the country’s enduring strengths.
The language and cultural diversity of Australia's population is also strongly reflected in the workforce and small business ownership.
What does this mean for organisations?
The ‘business case’ for diversity theorises that in a global marketplace, a company that employs people who are ethnically, culturally and racially diverse is better able to understand the demographics of the marketplace it serves and is thus better equipped to thrive in that marketplace than a company that has a more limited range of employee demographics.
