Assignment on Sociology - Multiculturalism in Australia

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Multiculturalism in Australia
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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SOCIOLOGY
Multiculturalism in Australia is characterized by the composition of people coming from
various cultural backgrounds. These can be very well reflected in the immigration policies,
which have been adopted by the government of Australia. The Australian government ensures,
through its various policies and prohibits the practice of discrimination by treating every person
to be equal before the law. The government has introduced various policies and laws, with the
help of which, it was intended to achieve cohesiveness, harmony, diversity and equality. The
country previously had White Australia Policy which were later replaced by the Immigration
policy, after World War II.
Multiculturalism has emerged as a characteristics of the Australian society, as, the
government have developed the framework to encourage and accommodate ethno cultural
diversity within the society. The government made it a point to cater to the needs of the
immigrants at the end of the twentieth century. However, diversity and multiculturalism, as is
practiced and protected with the help of policies, in Australia, been criticized for several security
and safety issues too/. However, the policies which have been brought to address the needs of the
immigrants and to ensure equality and diversity are commendable. Australia witnessed mass
immigration after the World war, which made the Australian society rich and diversity, with
people coming from various ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds (Aph.gov.au., 2020). Thus,
the Australian government decided to scrap the racially restricting policies of Immigration in the
year 1960, which helped the country become more inclusive and create integration. The focus of
the government has been to assimilate and integrate to create multiculturalism, right after setting
the Department of Immigration in the country.
At the very beginning, the policies which were introduced for Assimilation required
people to learn English and get accustomed to the practices which are ingrained in the Australian

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SOCIOLOGY
culture. This left no distinction between people who were immigrants and the ones who were
native to Australia. However, with time, the policies of the government focused more on
integration, rather than assimilation. The newer policies were intended to address greater issues
and challenges which were faced by the immigrant. The policies created awareness allowing
acceptance of being able to live harmoniously despite the differences (Humanrights.gov.au.,
2020). The Australian migrants, are thus, given liberties and provision to preserve their national
identities too And thus, multiculturalism could be seen in the Australian society, more, along
with time.
The real picture of the Australian society is characterized with a demographic trait, which
has multiculturalism and full of diversity. Multiculturalism, in Australia, thus is also referred to
the demography which has evolved and developed in the years to follow with the policies and
orientations, which has given rise to a normative ideal about the norms and practices of the
society. The multicultural approach of the government has served many goals in the society, out
of which social justice is one of them. Due to multiculturalism, people who have come from
different parts of the world and belong to cultures, which are not native to Australia, have gained
their own identity with which they are identified today (Westernsydney.edu.au., 2020).
Diversity, in the contemporary times, very appreciated. Migrants have been integrated into the
society, which have aided in the process of nation building and successfully creating social
cohesion in the country, despite the coexistence of various cultures and ethnicities.
Multiculturalism, in Australia, not only a concept, but also is contested into the society
through policies, which ensure that it is practiced in all spectrum of Australian lives. However, it
received criticism and scrutiny in overseas as well. It is often opined that multiculturalism is
divisive in nature which is bereft of precision and substance (Metz, Cornelius, Hoobler &