Racism is costing Australia and taking a toll on communities, the race discrimination commissioner says.
A national strategy to help stamp out racism was launched in Melbourne on Friday.
Federal race discrimination commissioner Dr Helen Szoke said racism not only exists in Australia, but costs the country "financially and culturally".
"We're going to have a go at identifying racism," Dr Szoke told the launch on Friday.
"We're going to make the point that racism can take a real toll on people's lives and communities."
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The strategy was launched on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission and is backed by a campaign, "Racism stops with me".
Federal Multicultural Affairs Minister Kate Lundy said the strategy was about encouraging people to challenge racism and put an end to discrimination.
"Racism discounts the contribution thousands of migrants have made to our nation," Senator Lundy said.
Watch the interview with Dr Helen Szoke on YouTube:
