An Indian-origin model has accused an Australian modelling agency of racial discrimination as she is not a Caucasian, media here reported.

According to a report in the local daily 'WA Today', 25-year-old model Kema Rajandran was told by a Perth-based modelling agency that her work chances were 'limited' in the country because she was not Caucasian. After living and working as a model in the UK for two years, Rajandran e-mailed a short biography and photos to Chadwick Models in Perth recently, and was 'truly disheartened' at the response she received a short time later.

"We think you are very photogenic and would be suitable for our Casting Division," the email from the academy coordinator read. "Please note however that as you are of non-Caucasian heritage that your work opportunities in Perth would be extremely [sic] limited." Rajandran said given the "extremely multicultural society of Australia", she was shocked at the response, and hoped that by her speaking out about it, the practice of culling models based solely on their appearance would change.