Ethnicity, multiculturalism and social cohesion (SACE Stage 2 Society and Culture)

What this dot point is asking

You must define ethnicity and multiculturalism, trace Australia's policy approach, and analyse what strengthens or weakens social cohesion, with real examples.

Ethnicity and cultural diversity

Ethnicity is not the same as race. Race refers to physical characteristics often used to categorise people, while ethnicity is about shared culture, ancestry, language, religion or history that a group identifies with. A person can share an ethnic identity through Greek, Vietnamese, Italian or Sudanese heritage regardless of physical appearance. Australia is shaped by waves of migration, so around half the population was born overseas or has a parent who was, making cultural diversity a defining feature of society.

From assimilation to multiculturalism

Australia's approach to diversity has changed dramatically. Earlier policy, including the White Australia approach, restricted non-European migration and expected newcomers to assimilate by abandoning their culture. From the 1970s, official policy shifted to multiculturalism, which encourages migrants to retain their cultural heritage while participating fully in Australian civic life. This was a major social change driven by migration patterns, activism and changing values. It reframed diversity as a national strength rather than a problem to be erased.

What social cohesion means

Social cohesion describes how well a society holds together: whether people feel they belong, trust their neighbours and institutions, participate in community life, and accept others regardless of background. Researchers measure cohesion through surveys of belonging, trust, sense of fairness and experiences of discrimination. High cohesion is associated with safety, wellbeing and economic participation; low cohesion is associated with conflict, withdrawal and division.

Factors that build cohesion

Several factors strengthen cohesion in diverse Australia.

• Inclusion and participation, such as access to education, jobs and political voice, gives every group a stake in society.
• Economic fairness, because cohesion falls when groups feel locked out of opportunity.
• Shared experiences and contact, in schools, sport and workplaces, which reduce prejudice by building familiarity.
• A sense of shared belonging and national identity that is inclusive enough to include everyone.

Factors that undermine cohesion

Cohesion is fragile and can be eroded by several forces.

• Racism and discrimination, whether overt abuse or systemic disadvantage, signal to groups that they do not belong.
• Segregation and isolation, where groups have little contact and rely on stereotypes.
• Economic inequality concentrated in particular communities.
• Political and media framing that treats minority groups as threats, fuelling fear and division.

Australian examples

Australia offers rich examples. The success of large migrant communities in business, the arts and politics shows multiculturalism working. Programs that support new arrivals and celebrate cultural festivals build belonging. At the same time, experiences of discrimination reported by some communities, debates over migration and asylum, and incidents of racial abuse show ongoing challenges. Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a distinct and central part of the cohesion question, because it concerns the First Peoples rather than migration.

Connection to the rest of the course

This dot point applies the concepts of culture and identity to the structure of Australian society as a whole. It links to power, because dominant and minority groups have unequal influence over how diversity is managed, and to social change, because attitudes to diversity have shifted enormously over decades. It is a frequent source of contemporary issues for the folio and external investigation, where local data on belonging, discrimination or community programs can ground your analysis in real evidence.