About the Multicultural Framework Review
Australia’s vibrant, modern multicultural society is a national strength. Multiculturalism is a central characteristic of a shared Australian identity, alongside Australia’s First Nations traditions and its British institutions. Our national identity continues to grow from pre-settlement to today and into the future.
Migration is fundamental to the Australian story. It supports our economic success and drives the increasing diversity of our society. Successive waves of migration have shaped and influenced the development of a rich multicultural society.
Australia is a majority migrant nation and one of the most successful and cohesive multicultural societies in the world, building on over 60,000 years of First Nations culture. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are integral to our vibrant society.
- The 2021 Census highlights Australia’s increasingly diverse make-up. More than half of Australian residents (51.5%) were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represented 3.2% of the population. Over 5.5 million Australians speak a language other than English at home.
- Australians embrace the growing diversity of Australian society. The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s 2022 'Mapping Social Cohesion' report points to support for multiculturalism (88%) and a belief that immigrants are good for the economy (87%).
Yet, it also highlights challenges that require attention if we are to facilitate genuine inclusion and maximise the benefits for all, such as the experience of discrimination based on people’s skin colour, ethnic origin, or religion (16%).
The Review will help ensure a Government that works for multicultural Australia. The Australian Government plays a critical role in supporting our inclusive and cohesive multicultural society, and ensuring we continue to enjoy its social and economic benefits.
It is important to consider the existing institutional, legislative and policy framework, noting:
- immigration will continue to drive increasing diversity across Australian society
- the role racism and discrimination plays as a key systemic barrier to our shared aspirations for an inclusive and equitable multicultural society
- the nation is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Review represents an important opportunity to capture and reflect on the lessons learned from the pandemic about how government supports and works with diverse communities in crises
- the institutional settings that support Australia’s multiculturalism haven’t been reviewed in almost a generation
- the current Multicultural Access and Equity Policy was last updated in 2016.
The Review will be a first principles review of multiculturalism in Australia. It will provide clarity on the principles of multiculturalism, ensuring they are relevant, responsive and adaptable over time.
It will apply a strengths based lens to consider institutional arrangements and legislative and policy settings at the Commonwealth level.
The Review will advise the Government on what institutional, legislative and policy settings can best build Australia’s multiculturalism over the next decade. It will also aim to identify how to better meet the needs of Australia’s increasingly diverse society.
The Review will acknowledge the diversity of Australia’s First Nations cultures, languages, lore and connection to lands and waters. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and groups will be invited to contribute to the consultation process to reflect on their experience of living in a multicultural Australia.
