Spring is here! As the weather warms up, everyone is encouraged to enjoy gathering outdoors in a COVID safe way.
Message from the Chairperson
There are many upcoming events that we can get behind, with special attention to honouring older Victorians through Dementia Action Week and the Victorian Seniors Festival. I encourage you to show your support for these events in whatever way you can.
In other news, this week the Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Public Sector released the Workplace Gender Audit Baseline Report. This is the first overview from reporting organisations on the current state of gender inequality in the public sector, and will identify where we must continue to focus our efforts.
A key yet consistent barrier to achieving gender equality is the issue of equal pay, but it's something all organisations can address today. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission have put together some great resources to help businesses achieve equal pay- you can find more information below.
In the spirit of advancing gender equality, I am pleased to share that the VMC has partnered with MindTribes to undertake research to achieve gender equality for culturally diverse women within the Victorian Public Sector. Stay tuned for the launch of this report!
Until we next meet, take care and stay well.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
VIC | VMC | WEBINAR | Sick Pay Guarantee online info session | Wednesday 7 September 2022 | 6.30-7.30pm
Together with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, the VMC is hosting a free information session about the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee.
Eligible casual and contract workers can now get paid for up to 38 hours a year when they’re sick or caring for others through the new Guarantee.
Join us to find out more, including:
- who is eligible
- which jobs are included
- what is a casual worker
- how to sign up
- what information you will need to provide
- how to make a claim for sick and carer’s pay.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Eligibility for COVID-19 medication
People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well. There are medicines to:
Only people most likely to need hospital care can get COVID-19 medicines. This includes people who:
are aged 70 and over
- are aged 50 and over with certain health conditions (or 30 if they're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander)
- have a weakened immune system, disability or are born with heart disease.
Most other people can manage COVID-19 safely at home without these medicines. COVID-19 medicines do not replace vaccination.
VIC | VMC | INVITING | You to join a VMConnect Group
There are now over 850 members of the VMC's exciting online community, VMConnect, and you're invited to join the conversation!
There are many ways to get involved- you can check out our noticeboard, create a community event for our calendar, add your business to our service directory or join one of our Groups!
VMConnect Groups cover many different identities and interests - including groups for multicultural young people, LGBTIQ+ people, and for mental health or volunteering.
Connect with like-minded multicultural Victorians and representatives across the sector today.
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | 2023 Interpreter Scholarship program | applications now open, closing 30 November 2022
The Victorian Government is offering scholarships for people wanting to study interpreting at RMIT University in 2023.
The scholarships aim to increase Victoria’s number of qualified interpreters so that non-English speakers have better access to crucial government services, such as health care and housing support.
Since 2003, the Victorian Government has offered scholarships for students undertaking a range of translating and interpreting courses at RMIT University and have helped more than 500 people gain certification with NAATI.
VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Social Services Jobs Guarantee program - Diploma of Community Services graduates
The Social Services Jobs Guarantee is an employment program for people graduating from the Diploma of Community Services between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2024.
Once you have registered, for this program, you will be notified if you match with a role available in the community services sector.
Roles could be in industries that include:
- child protection and family services
- disability and aged care
- housing and homelessness, and
- other in-demand social services roles.
Extra support is also available for those who register, such as mentoring and career counselling.
VIC | GOV | HIGHLIGHTING | Making a difference in a job that matters
The Jobs that Matter campaign highlights a range of roles available across the community services sector.
These jobs make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities, including children and family, disability, family violence, homelessness and ageing services.
Start your career today in a job that matters, and contribute to a better Victoria.
VIC | VEOHRC | LAUNCHING | Equal pay matters – educational resources for organisations
Equal pay - being paid fairly and equally for work of equal or comparable value - is a basic human right. It’s good for workers and it’s good for business.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has launched new educational resources for small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand and implement equal pay in their workplaces.
They're accessible, free, shareable and tailored to suit the unique needs of SMEs.
Start your equal pay journey today and be part of a fairer future for workers.
VIC | REVI | OFFERING | Free parenting courses | from 23 September 2022
Are you having difficulty managing your child's behaviour? Do you feel concerned about the level of conflict in your home? Are you looking to improve the overall wellbeing of your family?
Relationships Victoria (REVE) offers free 6 to 12 week courses for parents to learn better ways to connect with their children and family in a culturally sensitive way.
A course for Afghan women and one for Afghan men, called Tuning into Kids, is also being offered in Cranbourne. These sessions will be hosted by a group facilitator fluent in several Afghan dialects.
Visit the Relationships Victoria website for more information on course registration and other resources for multicultural communities.
Coronavirus hotline
- Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
- Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
- Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
- Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
- Coronavirus in-language information
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Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au