This paper examines the understanding of social cohesion by policymakers, practitioners and residents, with particular reference to migrant concentration areas in Sydney and Melbourne. Ten suburbs we focus on had a high proportion of Muslim Australian residents and were socioeconomically disadvantaged at the time of the 2016 Australian Census. The paper is based on 52 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, mainly with professionals delivering local programmes and services, but also with residents. Based on interview data, the paper seeks to unpack the concept of social cohesion, particularly as it is applied to local programmes and discuss the understandings of the relationship of social cohesion with ethnic diversity and socioeconomic disadvantage. We found that most respondents considered "social cohesion" a positive feature of local and broader society, but the concept was variously understood. The understanding of its relationship with ethnic diversity and socioeconomic status of a local area also varied, but the predominant view was that social cohesion is put under stress by socioeconomic disadvantage. In some cases, "social cohesion" was understood, and criticised, as a coded policy formula for "preventing violent extremism" policies, especially in Muslim concentration areas, therefore with a potential to alienate local communities instead of helping them.
