Social cohesion at a crossroads: What Australia’s experience reveals globally
Australia has long been regarded as a global success story in multiculturalism. We are a nation shaped by successive waves of migration, underpinned by shared values, and sustained by relatively strong levels of social cohesion. But like many countries, we are now navigating a period of growing complexity and tension.
The events of December 2025 at Bondi Beach marked a turning point when a terrorist attack targeted a peaceful Jewish community celebration and claimed the lives of 15 people.
This was not only a tragedy of profound human loss, it also shook the foundation of how Australians understand safety, belonging, and cohesion.
In the months since, the national response has rightly focused on security, counter-terrorism and support for affected communities. The establishment of a Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion underscores the seriousness of the moment and the need to confront rising hatred and extremism.
Yet security responses alone cannot address what this moment represents. Because beneath the immediate shock lies a deeper question: what does it mean for social cohesion in a country that has prided itself on inclusion?
A cohesive system under strain
Even before Bondi, the data showed growing fragility. Research indicates that while overall cohesion has remained relatively stable, it is now below long-term averages and subject to growing pressures, varying from economic stress to geopolitical tensions.
Importantly, support for multiculturalism remains strong, but it has softened. At the same time, concerns about migration are increasingly framed through economic anxieties — housing affordability, infrastructure strain and cost of living — rather than cultural rejection.
These are familiar patterns across many advanced economies. But in Australia, they intersect with a new and troubling dynamic: the mainstreaming of narratives that link migrants to social and economic challenges.
In recent years, we have seen the resurgence of populist politics in Australia, most notably through the rise of conservative political party One Nation. Once considered a fringe movement, it is now benefiting from increased visibility and voter support, reflecting broader global trends where immigration becomes a focal point for political mobilisation.
This rise is coinciding with a shift in mainstream political discourse. Recent debates around immigration policy signal a hardening tone with, by way of example, proposals to tighten visa requirements and increase scrutiny of migrants’ social media.
Some of these proposals echo enforcement models seen elsewhere, particularly in the United States, where the securitisation of migration has reshaped public debate and policy responses. The risk is not only policy change, but also the normalisation of suspicion.
When migration is framed primarily through the lens of risk, it changes how communities see one another. It recasts migrants not as contributors, but as potential threats. And over time, this erodes the trust that social cohesion depends upon.
The impact on communities
For migrant and refugee communities, the intersection of these trends creates a challenging environment.
Moments of crisis often produce a narrowing of national identity. After Bondi, we have seen both an outpouring of solidarity and a rise in fear. Communities already vulnerable to discrimination may feel this tension most acutely — not because they are responsible for violence, but because they are often caught in its aftermath.
At the same time, there has been a triple-digit increase in Islamophobic incidents — a pattern seen both in Australia and abroad after terrorist incidents perpetrated by people from Muslim backgrounds.
Research consistently shows that a strong sense of belonging is one of the most important drivers of successful integration and cohesive societies. When that sense of belonging is weakened by rhetoric, policy signals or lived experiences of exclusion, the consequences ripple far beyond any one group.
The path forward
Australia’s current moment offers lessons that extend well beyond our borders.
First, social cohesion is not static. Even in countries with strong multicultural traditions, it can be eroded by cumulative pressures, such as economic insecurity, global conflict, and polarised political debate.
Second, the language of policy matters. When mainstream discourse begins to mirror populist narratives, it shifts the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. This can happen gradually, but its effects are profound.
Third, security and cohesion must be pursued together—not in opposition. A focus on safety that excludes or marginalises communities risks undermining the very resilience it seeks to build.
Finally, we are reminded that cohesion is ultimately local and human. It is built through everyday interactions, trust in institutions, and a shared commitment to fairness and inclusion.
The question for Australia — and indeed for all of us gathered connected with Metropolis — is not whether cohesion is under pressure. It is how we respond.
At SSI, we see every day the contribution that migrants make to our communities, our economy and our shared future. We also see the work required to sustain cohesion: investing in services, supporting participation, and ensuring that people feel seen, valued and safe.
In times of uncertainty, it is tempting to retreat intro tribalism of ‘us’ and ‘them’, but history shows that societies thrive when they do the opposite.
The challenge before us is not simply to restore cohesion, but to renew it deliberately, inclusively and with evidence guiding our way.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the strength of our cohesion defines not only our current resilience but also the futures we build together.
Written by Violet Roumeliotis. Violet Roumeliotis is Vice-Chair of the Metropolis International Migration Network Executive Committee and CEO of Settlement Services International (SSI), delivering inclusive human services across Australia and the Asia Pacific.
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