Next week's State Budget will be closely watched by multicultural Victorians.
The Ethnic Community Council of Victoria (ECCV) has been consulting with diverse communities across the state – particularly in Melbourne’s outer metropolitan suburbs – to identify key priorities ahead of the November State Election.
A key theme emerging from our consultation work has been the impact of cost of living pressures on individuals and families, highlighting the critical role of grassroots community support.
We welcome recent State Government announcements to ease transport costs, and are hopeful that the Budget will deliver further relief across the board.
Long-term, sustainable funding – rather than short-term project funding – is essential to support ethno-specific and multicultural organisations to continue supporting multicultural Victorians.
News & Updates
Community forums and consultations
Listening to communities is central to our work as a peak body – ensuring our advocacy reflects real experiences on the ground. Recent engagements included a well-attended community forum in Dandenong, as well as statewide roundtables bringing together 40 community leaders to help inform the Victorian Government’s new multicultural strategy.
We also brought together leaders from the multicultural aged care sector across metropolitan and regional Victoria to discuss recent aged care reforms and advocate for key changes. We welcome the recent Federal Government decision to cover the cost of personal care services such as showering.
As ECCV CEO Farah Farouque noted, "This is a much needed shift that bring enormous relief to both multicultural seniors and community aged care providers. The test of social policy reform of this scale is really in its implementation - we hope further changes are coming".
We thank everyone who contributed their insights and look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead.
Political Debate
In a multicultural country that owes so much to migration, our policymakers in Canberra and elsewhere must reject divisive narratives and conduct debates with care. Evidence-based debate must underpin both public and political rhetoric.
Failing to do so risks reviving the same exclusionary thinking that underpinned the racist White Australia policy.
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)'s statement reaffirms that Australia’s success has been built on migration, with people from diverse backgrounds contributing across all areas of society. It also highlights that there is no evidence to support claims that people from particular countries are less likely to contribute, and cautions against approaches that risk unfair or discriminatory treatment.
ECCV agrees that Australia’s migration system must remain fair, consistent and evidence-based, and will continue to support family reunion and humanitarian pathways that strengthen communities.
Lebanon – Supporting our Communities
As an organisation advocating for migrants and refugees, we acknowledge the deep distress currently felt amongst Lebanese Australians.
While ECCV’s focus is local, we know that overseas conflicts are never distant for multicultural Victoria. The impact is personal – affecting family members, loved ones and community networks, and bringing grief, fear and uncertainty into everyday life. With more than one million people displaced in Lebanon, the scale of the crisis is deeply felt here.
Last week, ECCV joined Lebanese community leaders to hear directly from community about these impacts. What came through clearly was the need for responses grounded in lived experience – including access to humanitarian pathways and culturally appropriate mental health support.
Statement
Opportunities & Resources
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: on the Victorian Multicultural Health Survey | closes 31 May 2026
Don't miss the opportunity to share your experiences and ideas to improve access, cultural safety and quality of healthcare in Victoria. The Multicultural Health Survey is available in 14 languages and can be completed by you or with support from someone you trust.
AUST | GOV | GRANTING | Multicultural Infrastructure Grants | applications close 18 May 2026
The Australian Government has announced a $41 million Multicultural Infrastructure Grants program to support community facilities that bring people together. Funding ranges from $20,000 to $1.5 million across three streams for upgrades, equipment and new or expanded spaces.
VIC | ECCV | WEBINAR | Renters Forum – supporting the transition to electric | Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 1pm
Victoria is transitioning from gas to clean, efficient electricity over the next 10 years.
ECCV is hosting an Online Renters Forum, supporting renters from multicultural communities to better understand Victoria's energy rebates and support programs.
The session will share practical ways to reduce energy bills, improve home comfort and communicate with landlords about upgrades such as energy-efficient appliances.
- For more information or to register your interest, please contact Surmeli via email
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
ECCV acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.