South Australia has a vibrant and culturally diverse society, whose contribution has helped shape our identity and made South Australia a proud multicultural state.
The state government's first South Australian Multicultural Charter (PDF, 400.5 KB) is a key part of bringing the South Australian Multicultural Act 2021 to life for all South Australians.
The Charter was shaped by community consultation and with input from leading multicultural organisations, Commissioners for Public Sector Employment, Equal Opportunity and Aboriginal Engagement, government agencies, and universities.
The Charter belongs to all South Australians and is now available in more than thirty community languages.
What does the Charter aim to do?
South Australia’s first Multicultural Charter recognises where we have come from, where we are now and where we want to go to as an inclusive multicultural society.
The Charter aims to:
- raise awareness and understanding of South Australia’s rich cultural, linguistic, racial and religious diversity
- encourage South Australians to recognise our diversity as an asset that benefits all of us economically, socially and culturally
- strengthen social cohesion by promoting a deeper understanding of and respect for all cultures
- guide the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate policies and services that meet the needs of our diverse communities.
What does the Charter say?
The Charter recognises South Australia’s history is an ancient and ongoing story of First Nations cultures, and it is a modern story of migrants and refugees from all around the world.
Up front, the Charter acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the Traditional Owners and occupants of the land and waters in South Australia and recognises their role in the diversity of South Australia.
The Charter also acknowledges the achievements and challenges of the generations who came before us and who, together with new and emerging communities, help shape South Australia’s identity.
At its core, the Charter contains six principles to promote a unified, harmonious, and inclusive South Australian community that values, respects and supports diversity.
The six Charter principles
The South Australian Multicultural Charter sets out the principles by which all South Australians:
- recognise, respect and value cultural, linguistic, racial and religious diversity and the contribution this has made, and continues to make, to our state
- are encouraged to engage in the reciprocal exchange of knowledge and understanding of our cultural, linguistic, racial and religious diversity
- are able to live, work and study to thrive in all aspects of life in a cohesive society
- have the right to mutual respect, understanding, fairness, safety and freedom from discrimination based on their cultural, linguistic, racial and religious background
- should lawfully be able to preserve, express, practice and celebrate their cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
- have equitable access to opportunities and services that support participation in the educational, social, cultural, economic and political life of our state.
Get involved
A Multicultural Charter Guide (PDF, 510.9 KB) has been developed to help South Australians understand the Charter and bring its principles to life in their clubs, organisations and workplaces.
A digital engagement kit (ZIP, 6.9 MB) is also available, to help South Australians promote the Multicultural Charter within their networks and communities.
Multicultural South Australia Ambassador Program
Since November 2023, the state government has been delivering the Multicultural South Australia Ambassador Program to activate the Multicultural Charter and embed its principles within the workforces, business practices and service delivery of the state government and leading South Australian organisations.
Developing the South Australian Multicultural Charter
The South Australian Multicultural Act 2021 came into operation on 2 December 2021 and the state government committed to the South Australian Multicultural Charter in March 2023. Learn more about the development of the South Australian Multicultural Charter