Assaf was born in Hardine, a village in the Batroun District, 80 km from Beirut, Lebanon.[1] His first language was Arabic, and he undertook his schooling in French. In 1967, at the age of 22, he migrated to Australia from Lebanon.[2]
In 2008, Jascom International Pty Ltd published Assaf's book In Someone Else's Shoes, a memoir detailing his experiences as a migrant in Australia.[4] It also explores his understanding of Australian society in the context of multiculturalism.[5]
In June 2013, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the appointment of Assaf to the Civil Society 20 group – the C20 – as part of the wider engagement process for the G20 meeting in Australia in 2014.[6]
In 2014, Assaf was interviewed for the National Archives of Australia's touring exhibition A Ticket to Paradise? for the National Collecting Institution's Touring and Outreach Program.
On 14 June 2010, Assaf was named a Member of the Order of Australia "for service to multiculturalism, to business in the fields of marketing and communications, and to the community as a supporter of a range of charitable organisations."[7]
On 11 June 2018, Assaf was named an Officer of the Order of Australia "for distinguished service to multiculturalism, and to business, as a supporter of community education projects for people from linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to cultural harmony and inclusion."[8][9]
^Assaf, Joseph (2007). In someone else's shoes: a vivid journey through multiculturalism. Leichhardt NSW: Jascom International Pty Ltd. pp. Foreword, Allan Gyngell. ISBN978-0-646-48020-6.
"Diversity in the Workplace", speech given in 1995 by Assaf and published at the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship website[dead link]
