Report a Hate Crime in Sydney - Council & Police

Civil Rights and Equity New South Wales 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of New South Wales

Sydney, New South Wales victims or witnesses of hate crimes should prioritise safety and then notify the authorities. A hate crime can involve violence, threats, property damage or repeated targeted harassment because of race, religion, sexuality, gender identity or disability. This guide explains who investigates, how to report to police and council channels, what evidence to preserve, likely enforcement pathways and how to seek further advice in Sydney.

If anyone is in immediate danger call 000 for police, fire or ambulance.

Who investigates and where to report

Criminal conduct alleged to be motivated by hatred is investigated by the New South Wales Police Force; you can report offences online or by attending a police station. For non-criminal discrimination or council-related community safety concerns, the City of Sydney and state anti-discrimination bodies provide complaint routes and referrals. To report an offence to police online, use the NSW Police Force reporting service[1].

  • Call 000 if a threat or violence is happening now.
  • Contact your local police station for in-person reports and follow-up.
  • For non-criminal discrimination, contact the City of Sydney customer service or the NSW Anti-Discrimination complaint unit.
  • Preserve evidence: photos, messages, CCTV details and witness contacts.

Reporting: practical steps

When reporting, be prepared to give dates, times, locations, descriptions of people involved and any supporting evidence. If you do not wish to make a formal police statement immediately you can still notify police and seek advice about witnesses, restraining orders and further action. Council offices can advise on community safety measures and referral to victim support services.

Penalties & Enforcement

There is no single municipal fine for "hate crime" in Sydney; offences are charged under existing state criminal laws and sentencing reflects the offence and aggravating factors. Specific fine amounts or fixed penalties for hate-motivated offences are not specified on the NSW Police online reporting page cited here.[1]

  • Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited police reporting page.
  • Custodial sentences or higher penalties apply depending on the criminal charge and the court’s sentencing rules under New South Wales law.
  • Non-monetary sanctions include intervention orders, community corrections and court-ordered prohibitions.
  • Escalation: matters may start as an investigation, lead to charges, and proceed to local or higher courts; first and repeat offences are handled under standard criminal sentencing with aggravation for bias or hatred.
Penalties depend on the underlying criminal offence and judicial sentencing, not a single municipal fine.

Applications & Forms

No single municipal form is required to report a hate-motivated offence to police; use the NSW Police online reporting service or attend a police station to make a statement. For council service requests or community safety concerns, use the City of Sydney reporting portal or contact council customer service; specific forms for discrimination complaints are published by state anti-discrimination bodies.

Action steps

  • Immediate safety: call 000 if there is danger.
  • Report to police promptly to preserve investigative options.
  • Collect and save evidence and witness details.
  • Consider lodging a discrimination complaint with the NSW Anti-Discrimination body for non-criminal conduct.
  • Seek legal advice or victim support if charges are laid or for civil remedies.

FAQ

How do I report a hate crime in Sydney?
Contact NSW Police by calling 000 in an emergency, attend a police station or report online via the police reporting service.
Will the City of Sydney investigate criminal hate offences?
City of Sydney can assist with community safety and referrals but criminal investigations are handled by NSW Police; the council may address public-space safety and local enforcement issues.
Can I report anonymously?
Anonymous reports are possible in some police reporting channels, but providing contact details improves follow-up and evidence collection; check the police reporting service for options.

How-To

  1. Ensure safety: remove yourself from immediate danger and call 000 if required.
  2. Preserve evidence: screenshots, photos, messages and CCTV information.
  3. Report to NSW Police online or at a local station to file an incident report.
  4. Notify City of Sydney or the state anti-discrimination body for non-criminal discrimination issues and support referrals.
  5. If charged or for civil remedies seek legal advice and note appeal or review timelines given by the court or tribunal.

Key Takeaways

  • Report criminal hate conduct to NSW Police promptly to enable investigation.
  • Use council and state anti-discrimination channels for non-criminal complaints and referrals.
  • Keep and document evidence and witness details to support investigations and any court processes.

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