About the review
The Premier of Victoria announced the Multicultural Review in December 2024. Its purpose was to recommend ways the government could strengthen its support to multicultural and multifaith communities.
Review facts and figures
- 641
- Victorians had their say
- 57
- In person or online consultations
- 159
- Written submissions received
- 41
- Recommendations
Key findings
The review found that our multiculturalism is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths. We all benefit from the cultural, social and economic contributions of our multicultural communities.
Victoria remains one of the most diverse states in Australia, with almost one third of our population born overseas.
Our community represents more than 300 ancestries, 290 languages and 200 faiths.
Victoria has a long tradition of welcoming migrants from all over the world. Skilled migrants, humanitarian migrants, people seeking asylum and international students are all proudly Victorian.
However, the review found there are challenges putting a strain on our communities. These challenges include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and global conflicts.
The review found many communities feel under attack, with more incidents of Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism and hate crimes.
The review calls for measures to reinforce unity, inclusion and a refreshed whole-of-government approach to multicultural affairs. It made 41 recommendations for reforms to:
- strengthen trust in multicultural institutions
- tackle systemic issues such as discrimination
- build capacity of multicultural groups
- frame social cohesion as responsibility for society as a whole.
Government response
The government will take the following actions:
What’s next
Establishing Multicultural Victoria will require changes to Victoria’s multicultural legislation. This is expected to be introduced into Parliament in 2026.
The social cohesion values commitment will be rolled out in stages. It will apply to Multicultural Affairs grants by the end of 2025. It will then roll out to other government grant programs.
Together, the actions address 7 of the review’s most important recommendations. The government is also considering other recommendations and will provide updates on progress.
Acknowledgements
The review was led by George Lekakis AO with support from an advisory group of community experts. The advisory group included Hass Dellal AO, Carmel Guerra OAM, Miriam Suss OAM and Mark Duckworth PSM.
The Victorian Government thanks Mr Lekakis and the advisory group for undertaking this important review.
We also thank the hundreds of Victorians and organisations who had their say in our consultations.
Your contributions have given us valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of multicultural and multifaith communities.
Download the report and government response
Victoria’s multicultural review
Government response
Social cohesion values commitment
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