Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke is calling on all Australians to battle racism in their community.
Her call comes as the nation celebrates Harmony Day, and marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
She says people need to be aware of what racism is, and challenge it where they see it.
"Racism is where you actually treat someone, or mock someone, or isolate someone, treat them differently on the basis of their race," she told SBS.
"I think there are a number of things that people can do to fight racism. The first is to be aware of what racism is. And unless you experience it I think too often we shrug it off as political correctness or just a joke".
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Doctor Szoke is leading work on the development of a national anti-racism strategy.
"In the next week or so we are going to be launching a consultation on the development of a national anti-racism strategy, and we want people's ideas about what would prevent and reduce racism in Australia," she told SBS.
