This unit deals with the cultural awareness required for effective communication and cooperation with persons of diverse cultures. The unit begins by highlighting that Australia is a multi-cultural society and it is necessary to be able to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. This discussion includes outlining some strategies to minimise issues that can arise in working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. The unit then moves to a discussion of the issues of working with students from diverse backgrounds. Strategies are outlined for working with students, and their primary carers, from diverse backgrounds. The problem of racial discrimination is raised with an emphasis placed upon how particular language attitudes and actions are discriminatory. The unit concludes by discussing cross-cultural communication. This discussion includes detailing effective cross-cultural communication strategies and suggested strategies for resolving cross-cultural misunderstandings.