Multicultural Framework Review

The report of the Multicultural Framework Review, Towards Fairness – a multicultural Australia for all, and the Australian Government response, were released on 24 July 2024.

The review examines the state of Australia’s multicultural society, and recommends changes to laws, policies and institutional settings that build on the strengths of multiculturalism and enable it to respond to contemporary challenges.

Australia’s increasingly diverse make-up is highlighted in the 2021 Census of Population and Housing. More than half of Australian residents (51.5%) were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. Over 5.5 million Australians speak a language other than English at home.

The Review Panel travelled across Australia to consult more than 1,430 individuals and 750 organisations. This included community and faith groups, First Nations bodies, local government, business representatives, and service and sports clubs.

A total of 216 public consultations in 22 locations across Australia informed Towards Fairness. The Review Panel, Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, Ms Nyadol Nyuon OAM and Ms Christine Castley, considered 796 public submissions (15% in languages other than English).

 

Group of attendees at a Multicultural Framework Review meeting standing in front of a colourful banner smiling at the camera.

Multicultural Framework Review community meeting in Victoria in August 2023.
Image: Home Affairs

Home Affairs used innovative communication and consultation approaches to enhance access to the Multicultural Framework Review, including a submission functionality in languages other than English, and in written, audio and video formats. Translated summaries of the Review Panel’s report and the Australian Government response were published on the department’s website.

Engaging younger Australians in an inclusive way was a Review Panel priority. The views of children and young people were sought on the question ‘What does multicultural Australia look like?’ Home Affairs then designed and facilitated a national art competition which received over 100 entries. These were displayed in the Multicultural Framework Review Online Art Exhibition, increasing community access to and visibility of the review.

The Review Panel heard a strong, united voice from communities wanting to be a part of decision-making processes to co-design and co-produce with relevant layers of government, to share responsibility and have a role in accountability.

The review and the Australian Government’s response identified 3 core principles:

  • Connection – setting the foundations of a multicultural Australia through leadership, planning and accountability between 3 tiers of government and communities.
  • Identity and belonging – creating a welcoming Australia through English language programs, citizenship policy, and participation in arts, culture, sports and media. Experiences of discrimination and racism comprise the second of the top 10 themes identified in submissions to the review.
  • Inclusion – building cultural capability into public services, modernising grant programs, ensuring digital inclusion, ensuring a sustainable language services sector, and meeting the unique needs of young people and regional areas.

The Australian Government welcomed the Review Panel’s report, recognising the significant scale of consultation and engagement undertaken. In response, the Government will be guided by the framework’s principles. This will build on the commitment to make Australia’s multicultural settings fit for purpose for harnessing the talents of all Australians.

See also in this report

APS profile – CALD Employment Strategy and Action Plan

Find out more

Australian Government (n.d.) Multicultural Framework Review, Home Affairs website, accessed 26 August 2024.

Australian Government (n.d.) Multicultural Framework Review – Australian Government Response, Home Affairs website, accessed 26 August 2024.

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