Australia is home to people from many cultures, faiths and backgrounds. Effective community engagement helps ensure government understands the needs and experiences of diverse communities and can respond to emerging issues and opportunities.
The Department of Home Affairs' Community Engagement Network works with multicultural, faith-based and diaspora communities across Australia. It aims to understand community needs, identify emerging issues, and support social cohesion. The Network helps ensure community views inform government policies, programs and services.
Regional Directors and Community Liaison Officers lead the Network across every state and territory. They engage with community leaders, organisations, government agencies and service providers to build trusted relationships and foster two-way communication.
Through this engagement, the Network:
- helps government understand community needs and priorities
- provides community insights to inform decision-making
- connects communities with relevant information, programs and services
- identifies and escalates emerging issues affecting communities
- supports engagement during crises and periods of heightened concern.
The Community Engagement Network builds strong relationships across Australia. It supports collaboration between government and community groups to address emerging issues and strengthen social connections.
