The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act prohibits racial and religious vilification.Vilification is public behaviour that incites hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of another person or group of people because of their race or religion. The Act sets a high standard for determining vilification, and it is only in extreme and serious cases that vilification will be found to have occurred.

The Act provides a community standard about our responsibility towards each other in a multicultural society. It seeks to ensure that people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their particular race or religion, and do not become targets of vilifying behaviour.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling complaints under the Act. The Commission helps people resolve complaints of racial and religious vilification through a confidential and impartial conciliation process.

The Race Discrimination and Racial and Religious Vilification brochure provides information about the Act and the role of the Commission in handling complaints.

Click here for VEOHRC translated information in languages other than English.