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Introduction

Victoria continues to be one of Australia's most culturally diverse states, with about one-third of our population born overseas.

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Victoria's current population represents more than 300 ancestries, speaks 290 languages, and follows almost 200 faiths.

This report is a snapshot of the Victorian Government's commitment to support multicultural and faith communities and to progress multiculturalism across the state.

This report fulfils the Victorian Government's requirement of the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 (Vic). The Act requires government departments to report annually to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and to the Victorian Parliament on programs and initiatives that support Victoria’s multicultural community.

Table 1 lists legislative and policy documents that guide the government's mission to build an inclusive, engaged, and cohesive Victoria.

Table 1: Victoria's multicultural frameworks
TypeDescription
Acts of Parliament
  • Multicultural Victoria Act 2011: Provides the framework for a whole of government approach to multiculturalism in Victoria. The Act also establishes the Victorian Multicultural Commission as a statutory authority, sets out reporting requirements for departments and ministers, and requires Victorian government departments to develop and implement cultural diversity plans.
  • Equal Opportunity Act 2010: All Victorian departments and service providers have a positive duty under this Act to take reasonable and proportionate measures to identify and eliminate discrimination.
  • Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: Sets outs the basic rights of Victorians to live with freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It also requires public authorities to act compatibly with the Charter.
  • Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001: Prohibits behaviours that incite or encourage hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule against another person or group of people because of their race or religion.
Victorian Government Multicultural StatementA publicly available policy statement that sets out the Victorian Government’s vision and commitment to multiculturalism in Victoria.
Departmental cultural diversity plansPlans created by government departments to facilitate diversity and multiculturalism both internally and when delivering services and programs to the Victorian community.
Individual departmental policies, plans and strategiesDepartments undertake ongoing reviews of policies, strategies and planning frameworks. These reviews respond to the changing needs of culturally diverse communities and reflect the government’s commitment to multiculturalism.

Working to achieve positive outcomes

The Multicultural Affairs Outcomes Framework outlines the Victorian Government’s approach to multiculturalism. The framework is included in the Victorian Multicultural policy statement.

Programs and initiatives are grouped under the framework’s five goals.

Table 2: Goals of the whole of government multicultural affairs outcomes framework
GoalDesired outcomes for Victorians
Victorians are safe and secure
  • Victorians live free from abuse, violence and fear
  • Victorians have suitable and stable housing
Victorians are healthy and well
  • Victorians have good physical and mental health
  • Victorians have equitable access to health and human services
Victorians are able to participate fully
  • Victorians participate in learning and education
  • Victorians participate in and contribute to the economy
  • Victorians have financial security
  • Victorians understand, are empowered by and exercise their rights
  • Victorians have access to an environment that promotes liveability, sustainability and inclusion
Victorians are connected to culture and community
  • Victorians are socially engaged and live in inclusive communities
  • Victorians can safely identify with and connect with their culture and identity
Victorians have equal rights and opportunities
  • Victorians live free from discrimination
  • Opportunities to participate in the workforce are available to all Victorians

This report does not capture the full range of activities Victorian government departments and portfolio agencies have undertaken. Instead, it provides a snapshot of activities and achievements supporting multicultural and multifaith communities between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 across the Victorian Government. Included case studies highlight the positive impact of initiatives on local communities.

Terminology, abbreviations and frequently used terms

Language statement

Language is important and can change over time. Words can have different meanings for different people.

We recognise the diversity of First Peoples, communities and culture throughout Victoria. While the terms 'Koorie' or 'Koori' are commonly used to describe First Peoples of southeast Australia, we have used the terms 'First Peoples' and 'Aboriginal' to include all people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who live in Victoria.

The term 'multicultural community' refers to the vast number of diverse cultural and ethnic groups in Victoria.

The term 'multifaith community' refers to the diverse faith groups in Victoria.

The words 'our' and 'we' in this document refer to the Victorian Government.

The phrase 'racism and discrimination' in this document includes all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, cultural background, country of origin and faith.

List of government departments

AbbreviationDepartment
DEDepartment of Education
DEECADepartment of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
DFFHDepartment of Families, Fairness and Housing
DGSDepartment of Government Services
DHDepartment of Health
DJCSDepartment of Justice and Community Safety
DJSIRDepartment of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
DPCDepartment of Premier and Cabinet
DTPDepartment of Transport and Planning
DTFDepartment of Treasury and Finance

On 1 January 2023:

Department of Education and Training became the Department of Education.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning became the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Department of Government Services was established as a new department.

Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions became the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.

Department of Transport (DoT) became the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

Updated

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