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.
Legal and policy frameworks underpinning this report
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.
Type | Description |
---|---|
Acts of Parliament |
|
Victorian Government Multicultural Statement | A publicly available policy statement that sets out the Victorian Government’s vision and commitment to multiculturalism in Victoria. |
Departmental cultural diversity plans | Plans 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 strategies | Departments 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.
Goal | Desired outcomes for Victorians |
---|---|
Victorians are safe and secure |
|
Victorians are healthy and well |
|
Victorians are able to participate fully |
|
Victorians are connected to culture and community |
|
Victorians have equal rights and opportunities |
|
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
Abbreviation | Department |
---|---|
DE | Department of Education |
DEECA | Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action |
DFFH | Department of Families, Fairness and Housing |
DGS | Department of Government Services |
DH | Department of Health |
DJCS | Department of Justice and Community Safety |
DJSIR | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions |
DPC | Department of Premier and Cabinet |
DTP | Department of Transport and Planning |
DTF | Department 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