Learn about unconscious bias

Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, including ethnicity and race, age, gender, physical abilities, religion, sexual orientation, weight, and many other characteristics. By learning about our unconscious biases we can learn to be more inclusive of people different from ourselves.

Steps to take action

1. Learn more about what unconscious bias is and how it can negatively impact our communities, workplaces, schools and families. The Diversity Australia website is a good place to start your learning.
2. Watch some episodes of the ABC show ‘you can’t ask that’ where people with lived experience share their stories and answer questions to address stigma. Episodes include topics of ex-prisoners, Indigenous Australians, refugees and many more.
3. One simple way to tackle your own unconscious bias is to broaden your sources of media and news. Accessing news or media from different organisations, cultures and locations can broaden our understanding of people with lived experience different to our own.
4. Share what you have learnt with others. Have conversations with people about what you have learnt and encourage them to do their own learning.

Helpful resources

Access resources and learning about unconscious bias through these helpful links -

• Diversity Australia Resources
• SBS Cultural Atlas
• Take a test