As a provider of interpretation and translation services in Australia, Ethnic is a strong supporter of the richness provided by our multicultural diversity. We are advocates of people from all races, nations, cultures and religions.

Australia’s history

Australia has a long history as an immigrant nation – starting with the first Indigenous Australians who traveled from Asia about 40,000–60,000 years ago, then with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 bringing mostly convicts from the UK and Ireland. Migration peaked again during the 1850s gold rush when people from the UK, America, China and Europe flocked to Australia, hoping to make their fortune.

Since the 1950s, economic and humanitarian events have meant that immigrants from about 200 countries have come to call Australia home, making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. 

Australia’s future

Citizenship is a way of uniting the people of Australia as one, while upholding their freedom to preserve their culture, religion and beliefs. By building on the nation’s diverse heritages, citizenship gives all Australians a part to play in the common goal of making Australia an even better place.

As an Australian citizen, you are expected to:

• accept the democratic structures and principles of Australian society;
• observe the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, Parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, and equality of the races and sexes;
• acknowledge that expressing your own culture and beliefs means that you also have the responsibility to accept the right of others to express their views and values.