A young man refused entry to a Victorian nightclub has been awarded $3000 after it was ruled he was discriminated because of his race.

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Ivan Kibet, who says he is of "African appearance", was the only one of his friends turned away from the Empire Club in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren on October 7 last year.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal senior member Bernadette Steele said on Thursday he had "suffered humiliation" and "hurt", as she ordered the club to pay him compensation.

Mr Kibet was with an all-white group, bar one person of Indian descent, when he attempted to enter the club.