Racism in Australian workplaces would be probed by a national inquiry as sex discrimination was, if a commissioner and the unions' calls are heeded.

The ever-changing face of its victims shows racism is not improving and remains a structural defect in Australia, the nation's race discrimination commissioner warns.

Surges in racism over the past five years have been driven by COVID-19, the Indigenous voice referendum, the October 7 attacks and anti-Indian political messaging.

"The target might keep changing, but the racism will keep going on," Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said on Wednesday.

Advocates say systemic racism is stopping people progressing in their jobs but data is often incomplete because people are afraid to come forward or don't know where to make

See Full Page