According to the 2021 Australian Census, the Chinese-Australian population stands at approximately 1.4 million, accounting for about 5.5% of the national population and making it the fifth-largest ethnic group. However, as residents of this “nation of immigrants,” we rarely ask ourselves this question: Do we truly understand Australian society?
For many new immigrants, the first reality they face is not the abstract concept of “multiculturalism,” but the reality of daily life—finding a place to live, looking for a job, pursuing education, or starting a business. Over time, our social circles become increasingly fixed: Chinese communities, Chinese media, and Chinese friends. From daily consumption to news and information, and even discussions on public issues, much of what we encounter comes from groups sharing the same cultural background. These familiar environments provide a sense of security but also create an invisible “comfort zone.”
However, as time goes by, when we remain within our familiar circles for too long, we gradually realize that our understanding of mainstream society is quite limited. We also gradually lose touch with mainstream society, feeling alienated from a sense of belonging to the country and social cohesion. Often, people are unaware of daily social issues or how these events affect their lives; it is only when they are truly faced with certain problems that they discover they are just as lacking in answers as those around them.
A Research Foundation Established by an Immigrant
In Australia, one organization has been working long-term to address this issue—the Scanlon Foundation. Its founder, Peter Scanlon, immigrated to Melbourne from Europe with his family in the 1950s. Starting out selling newspapers to make a living, he eventually became a successful entrepreneur and served as chair of the Migration Council of Australia, engaging in immigration policy and public affairs for many years.
However, Scanlon noticed a problem: although Australia is a nation of immigrants, research on how immigrants integrate into society, whether they feel accepted, and how they develop a sense of belonging is actually very limited. Therefore, he established the Scanlon Foundation in 2001. Initially led by Monash University professor Andrew Markus and more recently by Australian National University professor James O’Donnell, the foundation conducts research aimed at promoting social research and public discourse, with a focus on Australia’s multiculturalism and social cohesion.
The Foundation’s philosophy is straightforward: beyond its Indigenous population, Australia is fundamentally a nation built by immigrants. Immigrants play a vital role in the nation’s economic growth and social development, and Australia’s future will continue to be shaped by immigration. The Foundation also believes that understanding the interactions between immigrants and mainstream society is key to maintaining social stability and prosperity.
How the Scanlon Foundation Maintains Social Cohesion in Australia
The Scanlon Foundation believes that maintaining “social cohesion” is crucial to Australia’s long-term development. To understand changes in Australian society, the Scanlon Foundation launched the “Mapping Social Cohesion” study in 2007. At the core of this study is the development of a social cohesion indicator known as the “Scanlon Index.” Through more than 100 questions, the study examines social cohesion in Australia across five key domains: a sense of belonging, well-being, social fairness and trust in institutions, participation, and inclusion versus exclusion. These indicators not only quantify overall social cohesion but also help answer a central question: In a multicultural society, do people still feel connected to one another?
Taking last year’s report as an example, the research team surveyed 8,000 Australian adults. To more accurately reflect the cultural diversity of Australian society, they conducted additional surveys specifically targeting immigrant groups, interviewing 245 immigrants in various languages. The report indicates that Australia’s overall social cohesion index remained at 78, similar to levels in 2023 and 2024. However, overall feelings of belonging among Millennials have declined, and trust in the government remains low: young people and those facing economic hardship feel less connected; conversely, those living in cohesive communities and actively participating in social activities report higher levels of belonging and acceptance of diversity. These findings not only help us understand shifts in social cohesion within Australian society but also provide crucial insights for governments and social organizations when developing relevant policies and community programs.
In addition to publishing research, the Scanlon Foundation puts its principles into practice in the community, promoting understanding and connection among different groups through various activities and collaborative initiatives. From the annual workplace cultural event “A Taste of Harmony” to “Strength to Strength,” which provides professional support to grassroots organizations, to “Sewing Seeds” in Western Australia supporting immigrant women, and “The Huddle” and Community Hubs fostering self-confidence and a sense of community belonging among young people, the Foundation’s reach extends into all aspects of life. At the same time, through community grants and initiatives like Welcoming Cities, Clubs, and Universities—in partnership with Welcoming Australia—the Foundation is committed to building long-term, sustainable networks of inclusion.
These initiatives not only make it easier for new immigrants to integrate into society but also strengthen mutual trust and support among different communities, embodying the philosophy that research and practice go hand in hand: social cohesion is not merely a statistic, but a form of social capital that can be cultivated and maintained in everyday life.
Research on Social Cohesion and Government Action
Multiculturalism does not emerge naturally; it requires the joint support of institutions, policies, and community participation. When institutional and community support are in place, new immigrants not only integrate more easily but also inject new vitality into society.
Over the past two decades, the Scanlon Foundation has continuously tracked social cohesion and attitudes toward multiculturalism in Australian society through research. A key objective has been to help the government identify underlying issues, thereby driving policy responses and action. But to what extent has this long-term research truly advanced mainstream society’s understanding of multiculturalism—or even prompted concrete government action?
Take the 2020 report as an example: the study highlighted that significant discrimination persists in Australian society. Within the previous 12 months, 39% of Asian Australians reported experiencing discrimination, and while negative attitudes toward the Muslim community had declined since 2018, they still stood at 35%. Subsequently, in early 2021, then-Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke cited these findings in a government statement and announced an allocation of 63 million Australian dollars in the 2021 federal budget to fund measures aimed at promoting social cohesion. Hawke further noted that while most Australians support multiculturalism and embrace the value of “equal opportunity,” racism persists, and therefore the government must continue to invest in fostering social cohesion.
Furthermore, beginning in 2021, the Australian Department of Home Affairs entered into a more formal partnership with the Scanlon Foundation. The “Mapping Social Cohesion 2021” report introduced the “Australian Cohesion Index” for the first time, which is published every two years. This index was established with government funding as part of the post-pandemic social cohesion initiative, aimed at strengthening community resilience and social cohesion. The index not only integrates public opinion data from the “Mapping Social Cohesion” research but also combines statistical data from agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics. By synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information from multiple sources, it tracks changes in Australian society across various dimensions—including a sense of belonging, trust, economic and material well-being, and health—to provide a more comprehensive research foundation for the government to formulate relevant policies.
Furthermore, the Australian government’s “Multicultural Framework Review” cited the Scanlon Foundation’s 2023 Social Cohesion report, noting that Australians overall continue to hold highly positive views toward multiculturalism. However, the report also highlighted that Australians’ sense of national pride and belonging is steadily declining, and that discrimination and prejudice remain widespread in society. It is against this backdrop that the government launched the Multicultural Policy Review.
It is evident, therefore, that the government has indeed paid attention to the Scanlon Foundation’s research and advocacy in the post-pandemic era, collaborating with them to formulate a response.
However, this raises another question: understanding social conditions and addressing public concerns are, after all, core responsibilities of the government. Why, for nearly two decades, has the Australian government relied on research from a private foundation for long-term surveys on social cohesion and attitudes toward multiculturalism? While the government has repeatedly emphasized in public discourse that Australian society should demonstrate respect for diverse groups and embrace multiculturalism, its role in leading such long-term social research has appeared relatively passive over the years.
The Neglected and Politicized Issue of Immigration
For many Australians who lack direct contact with immigrant communities, their understanding of immigrants stems primarily from media reports and public discourse. However, many immigration-related issues remain overlooked in mainstream society.
Mainstream media coverage of immigration often focuses on policy controversies, border management, or isolated incidents, while rarely delving into the practical challenges immigrants face in their daily lives—such as employment difficulties, language barriers, cultural adaptation, and the process of social integration. This reporting pattern tends to reduce immigration issues to a single policy problem, overlooking the multifaceted difficulties immigrants experience as members of society. At the same time, many reporters lack an immigrant background or long-term experience interacting with immigrant communities, which often results in media narratives remaining superficial and failing to fully capture the complexity and diversity of immigrant groups.
Of even greater concern is that immigration issues are frequently politicized in public discourse. As political parties vie for voter support, they often place immigration at the center of political debates, using it as a key tool for mobilizing voters and shaping the agenda. During election seasons, immigration policy is more likely to be reduced to political slogans or competitive issues rather than treated as a social issue requiring long-term, rational discussion.
This trend has become increasingly evident in recent years. For instance, the anti-immigration protests that emerged last year reflect how public sentiment regarding immigration is being amplified. At the same time, some political parties continually emphasize the pressures attributed to immigration—such as housing shortages, competition for public resources, or employment issues—portraying immigrants as the primary source of societal difficulties. The One Nation Party, led by Pauline Hanson, has recently seen its poll numbers soar by adopting a strong anti-immigration stance as a political platform, advocating for reduced immigration numbers and linking immigrants to social problems.
When people lack a genuine understanding of immigrant communities, and social attitudes are easily influenced by emotions and prejudice, it becomes difficult to foster trust, understanding, and a sense of belonging among different groups. Consequently, public discourse struggles to return to a rational and inclusive level.
Achieving Harmony Through Diversity
In Australia, immigration has long been a key force shaping social and economic development. Since the mid-20th century, large-scale migration from Europe, Asia, and around the world has not only transformed the urban landscape and the labor market but has also gradually reshaped Australia’s cultural landscape. Today, in schools, workplaces, and communities, people from different linguistic, religious, and cultural backgrounds living together has become a part of everyday life.
However, as a multicultural society has gradually taken shape, a deeper question has emerged: How does society understand new immigrants, and how do new immigrants understand this country’s institutions, values, and culture? How can connections be forged between different cultural groups, rather than each living in parallel communities? It is against this backdrop that the Scanlon Foundation began its long-term observation and research on social cohesion, seeking to fill this research gap.
However, the “social cohesion” emphasized by the Scanlon Foundation does not require everyone to become the same. On the contrary, its vision is that in a multicultural society, people must learn to find common ground amidst differences, building a society that embraces diversity while maintaining overall unity.
For a nation like Australia, built on immigration, a truly stable and enduring multicultural society involves more than just different ethnic groups “coexisting” with one another; it requires the establishment of shared public values and social trust while respecting differences. It is precisely on this foundation that multiculturalism can gradually transform from a policy concept into a sustainable social model.
Immigrants also need to take the initiative to learn about society
Stepping into Australia’s multicultural society, the differences stemming from diverse cultures, languages, and values can sometimes feel unfamiliar or even challenging, but they can also become an interesting and enriching experience. As people begin to understand each other’s lifestyles and ways of thinking, daily life, socializing, learning, and even work practices become more diverse, offering new perspectives.
When discussing multiculturalism, society and the government certainly have a responsibility to establish more inclusive systems and environments that foster understanding and respect among different groups. However, multiculturalism is not a one-way process; it cannot rely solely on government assistance. Immigrants themselves need to take the initiative to understand and integrate into mainstream society. In addition to participating in their own cultural communities, actively following local news, learning about systems and policies, and engaging in community activities all help build a more comprehensive understanding of society and make it easier to connect with people from different backgrounds. Only when immigrants have a deeper understanding of society can they more clearly grasp public discourse, policy changes, and how these matters affect their own lives.
Moreover, in a country renowned for its multiculturalism, if immigrants lack an understanding of society, how can society truly understand immigrants? The establishment of a multicultural society ultimately requires a two-way effort. If immigrants remain confined to their own linguistic and cultural circles for extended periods, with limited contact with the broader society, the mainstream’s perception of them will often stem from fragmented news reports, political discourse, or stereotypes—rather than from genuine exchange and understanding. Only through two-way interaction can trust and connections gradually be built between different cultural groups, ensuring that multiculturalism is not merely a slogan but truly becomes an integral part of how society functions.