Victoria’s cultural diversity is a point of pride
Victoria is proud of its diversity. We are a welcoming and inclusive home for diaspora, visitors, students, and businesses.
Around one-third of our population was born overseas, and we are home to some of Australia’s largest and most vibrant multicultural communities.
Deep cultural, creative and education ties make an immeasurable contribution to our state and are key to Victoria’s future prosperity.
Embracing Victoria’s multicultural strengths continues to create shared benefits – both here and overseas.
Fostering connections in language, culture, and heritage through education
For young Victorians, our early education centres and schools play a critical role in strengthening multiculturalism in our community.
Victoria is the only jurisdiction in Australia with a standalone English as an Additional Language curriculum and our language schools offer extensive learning opportunities in over 50 languages. In 2023, 92% of government schools delivered language programs to over 450,000 Victorian students.
Our schools also celebrate our proud diversity – sharing in the cultures and traditions of Victorians who hail from around the world.
Victoria’s international outlook: capable and committed to genuine partnership
Victoria’s multicultural communities play an active role in the social, cultural, and economic life of our state. Our partnerships across government, businesses and communities only strengthen that further.
Our values and commitment to these partnerships are demonstrated by a diverse range of programs that directly support cohesion, capability and connection. This includes support to speakers of English as an additional language, support for future leaders in Victoria’s multicultural communities, offers of employment mentorship, and building community through sport and recreation.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission connects communities and government, promotes cultural diversity and participation, and coordinates a network of Victoria’s multicultural chambers of commerce to promote community and economic prosperity.
1 in 3 Victorians were born overseas
Victoria’s Truth and Treaty journey
We celebrate the strength and resilience of Victoria’s First Peoples, the oldest surviving cultures in the world.
In Victoria, our path toward Truth and Treaty is an opportunity to address injustice and deliver lasting change. We started the journey toward Treaty in 2016 and have made commitments across every level of government.
Victoria’s Truth and Treaty journey is about bringing communities together to build stronger relationships based on shared understanding and respect.
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