what are australian values

Australian values are usually summed up as freedom, respect, fairness and a “fair go” for everyone, underpinned by democracy and the rule of law.

What people mean by “Australian values”

When Australians talk about “our values”, they’re usually referring to a mix of civic principles (how the country is run) and social attitudes (how people treat each other).

Key themes that appear in government and civic documents include:

• Respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual.
• Freedom of religion, speech, association and peaceful assembly within the law.
• Equality before the law and equal opportunity, regardless of background.
• Commitment to parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.
• A “fair go”: mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and fair play.
• Peaceful problem‑solving rather than violence or intimidation.

These ideas sit alongside a multicultural, English‑speaking society that expects newcomers and citizens to follow Australian law and respect others’ rights.

Core values often listed officially

Government and civics resources regularly highlight a fairly consistent set of core values.

1. Freedom

Australians place strong emphasis on personal freedoms, as long as they are exercised within the law.

This usually includes:

• Freedom of speech and expression (no government censorship, but limits on incitement and hate).

• Freedom of religion – including the right to have no religion – with a secular system of government.

• Freedom of association and peaceful protest.

In practice: you can criticise the government, attend protests, or belong to any lawful organisation, but you can’t use that freedom to promote violence or break the law.

2. Respect and dignity

Official descriptions stress respect for every person’s dignity, and for others’ rights to live differently from you.

Common expectations include:

• Treating others with courtesy and basic respect , regardless of race, religion, gender or background.

• Rejecting violence, abuse and harassment as ways to resolve disagreements.

• Accepting that people can hold different opinions and lifestyles as long as they obey the law.

3. Fairness and the “fair go”

“Fair go” is one of the most recognisable Australian phrases and is often explicitly named in values documents.

It usually covers:

• Equal opportunity in work, education and public life, regardless of background.

• Not giving special treatment just because of status, wealth or connections (egalitarian spirit).

• Compassion and support for those doing it tough – reflected in welfare, public health and community help.

Example: many people expect that everyone, from a cleaner to a CEO, waits their turn in a queue and is treated with the same basic courtesy.

4. Equality and “everyone under the law”

Australian civic material repeats that nobody is above the law, including politicians and police.

This includes:

• Equality before the law for men and women.

• Anti‑discrimination principles based on race, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability and other grounds.

• Expectation that disputes are settled through legal and democratic processes, not personal revenge.

5. Democracy and rule of law

Australia is a parliamentary democracy, and commitment to that system is itself framed as a core value.

Key ideas:

• Governments are chosen in free and fair elections, and can be voted out.

• Laws are made by elected parliaments and interpreted by independent courts.

• Citizens have both rights (like voting) and responsibilities (such as obeying the law and jury service).

How this appears in everyday life

These values show up in small daily habits as much as in big political structures.

You often see:

• Casual social interactions (first‑name basis with bosses and teachers, less emphasis on titles).

• Strong workplace expectations around safety, anti‑bullying and anti‑harassment.

• Community sport, volunteering and local fundraising, seen as part of being a “good mate”.

• Legal and social pushback against domestic violence, racism and discrimination in public spaces or online.

One way to think of it: being “Australian” in values is less about ancestry and more about how you treat others and how you relate to the law and democracy.

Different viewpoints and debates

Not everyone agrees perfectly on what Australian values are or how well they are lived out.

Some common debates include:

• How strongly Christian heritage vs. secularism should shape public life and policy.

• Whether the country always lives up to its ideals on issues like treatment of First Nations peoples, refugees or gender equality.

• Concerns that “Australian values” can be used as a political slogan, either to promote inclusion or to exclude certain groups.

At the same time, surveys and official material suggest broad support for democracy, equality, mutual respect and the idea that people from many backgrounds can share a common civic framework.

Recent and trending context (mid‑2020s)

In the 2020s, “Australian values” come up in several big public conversations.

Examples:

• Citizenship tests: applicants must correctly answer values questions on democracy, freedoms and equality to pass.

• Social cohesion and multicultural policy: the Home Affairs portfolio explicitly uses “freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity” as its values framing.

• Workplace and education: more focus on inclusion, anti‑racism, gender equality and respect at work and school.

These debates show that while the wording stays fairly consistent, how Australians interpret and apply those values keeps evolving with new social, political and cultural pressures.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.