ABS Consultation on Cultural and Ethnic Classifications

Strengthening Cultural Data for Health Equity

The Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative supports the ABS review of cultural and ethnic classifications, recognising its importance for fair representation and equitable health outcomes. Accurate and inclusive data are vital for identifying community needs, designing culturally appropriate programs, and addressing systemic racism. While welcoming new and updated codes, the Collaborative cautions against retiring classifications for smaller groups, as this risks making them invisible in policy and service delivery. We call for ongoing community engagement, technical support for implementation, and alignment with broader reforms to ensure Australia’s health system reflects and serves its full diversity.