Seeking support
The Register is here to support you. Find out about our victim support service as well as other relevant services you can contact.
The Register’s victim support service
The Islamophobia Register Australia offers individual support to victims of Islamophobia. Through the Register’s victim support service, the Register works to improve the healing experience for victims by supporting them to regain a sense of control and certainty.
How it works?
Once a report has been submitted to the Register, you will be contacted by one of our staff members who will then verify and assess the incident. After the report has been assessed, we can provide you with general advice (this is not legal advice) on what you can do about it. We can also refer you to seek psychological or legal help depending on the situation.
Mental Health Referrals
The Islamophobia Register works alongside multiple service providers across Australia who are culturally sensitive to the issue of Islamophobia and can provide psychological support to you.
If you are in crisis, there are mainstream services available to assist 24/7 for brief counselling:
We ask Muslims who experience distress after being subjected to racism, discrimination or victimisation on the basis of their religion, culture, or nationality, to contact Hayat Line on 1300 993 398 for a call-back to provide necessary emotional support, community referrals, and community resources that can address their needs.
Legal Referrals
Islamophobia Register has a legal referral system in place which aims to provide victims of Islamophobia with legal support and advocacy. Our legal advocacy officer will be assigned to your case who will then guide you through the appropriate avenues of recourse. If legal action is required, we will assess your case and refer the matter to a firm we think would be the most suitable to assist you. If you or anyone you know has suffered religious abuse or discrimination, please reach out to the Register.
You can find out more about our Partner Law firms here.
Where to report outside of the Register
Speak to Police
We ask anyone who witnesses, or is subject to, racism, discrimination or victimisation on the basis of religion, culture or nationality, to inform the police
If it is an emergency dial 000 immediately. If you are a victim please contact your local police station via 131 444. Police have cultural liaison officers in every region.
If you have any information about a crime motivated by prejudice you can call Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000.
Report online to the Australian Cyber Security Centre
Report online if someone has bullied, harassed or stalked you online, through the Australian cyber security centre. It channels complaints to the right authorities for action.
Report to the eSafety Commission
eSafety can help Australians experiencing online bullying or abuse to take action or make a complaint.
Speak to your anti-discrimination authority
Lodging a complaint is action a victim can take to hold someone to account for vilifying them or the Muslim community as a whole. If a workplace, shopping centre, bus/train or school management refuses to act and provide a safe environment, that can become a matter of discrimination. Lodging a complaint can be a way to bring that party to the table and understand the impact of what they’ve done. You may also be able to negotiate an apology, a change in their practices, and even financial compensation in some states. These processes are free, straightforward and meant to be used by ordinary people.
With any of these services, if a translator is needed, call TIS 131 450 and tell them your language. Tell them who you are calling and they will help you with the call.
See contact details for each authority below.
Contact details
New South Wales
Vilification or discrimination based on a person’s religion is not unlawful in NSW, but you can complain if there was an element of racism.
The Register offers a victim support service funded by Multicultural NSW and can offer advice or advocacy assistance and refer you to seek psychological or legal support.
Email complaintsadb@justice.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9268 5544.
It is also now a crime to incite violence against someone or a group based on their faith (s93Z of the NSW Crimes Act). If you see any threat to Muslims online or in person, contact the NSW police.
Visit hatecrime.com.au to learn more about your rights and avenues for seeking help.
Victoria
It is unlawful to vilify or discriminate against someone on the basis of their religious belief in Victoria. A complaint can be lodged through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. See this toolkit on the Islamic Council of Victoria’s website or ring ICV on (03)9328 2067.
Queensland
It is unlawful to vilify or discriminate against someone on the basis of their religious belief in QLD. A complaint can be lodged through the QLD Human Rights Commission. Contact them on 1300 130 670. If you believe serious racial or religious vilification has occurred, including physical harm or threats of harm to you or your property, go straight to the police.
South Australia
There is no protection against vilification, but it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of religious appearance or dress. Contact the Equal Opportunity Commission on (08) 8207 1977.
Tasmania
It is unlawful to vilify someone or discriminate on the basis of their religious belief in Tasmania. A complaint can be lodged through the Equal Opportunity Commission on (03) 6165 7515.
Western Australia
There is no protection against vilification, but it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of religious conviction. Contact the Equal Opportunity Commission on (08) 9216 3900.
Northern Territory
It is unlawful to harass or discriminate against someone based on their religious belief or activity. Harassment includes verbal attacks, humiliation or intimidation. Contact the Anti-Discrimination Office on 1800 813 846.
Australian Capital Territory
It is unlawful to vilify or discriminate against someone on the basis of their religion in the ACT. Contact the ACT Human Rights Commission on 6205 2222.
At the federal level
Vilification of someone based on their religion is not unlawful at the national level. A new religious discrimination bill is being discussed in parliament, but it currently does not provide protection against vilification, harassment, incitement of hatred or violence for religious people. A Joint Submission by Australian Muslims to the Australian Government proposes a new civil remedy. For more information, contact the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.
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