Australians from an Asian background are the most likely ethnic group to report experiencing discrimination as consumers or employees.

A national survey of more than 2000 people found 82 per cent of Asian-Australians had experienced discrimination, along with 81 per cent of Australians of Middle Eastern background and 71 per cent of Indigenous Australians.

Participants in the Asian-Australian Leadership Summit.

Most Asian-Australians reported being discriminated against at shops and restaurants, followed by in the workplace or educational institutions.

Researcher Nicholas Biddle, the associate director of the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, said self-reported discrimination was a relevant measure even if it was an over or under-estimate in reality.