Bicultural workers play an increasingly important role in providing community education, service delivery and engagement in many sectors across Victoria. However, the value of bicultural workers is still not fully recognised. Funding for bicultural worker programs is often short-term and insecure, and there are significant gaps in standardised training and accreditation, leading to inconsistencies in position descriptions and remuneration.
To effectively support the state’s bicultural workforce, employers should adopt professional standards, and workers should be supported to undertake specialised bicultural worker training. Bicultural workers are much more than just staff from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Their roles must be clear and distinct from those of translators and interpreters. This requires greater consistency in policies and practices in relation to job descriptions, recruitment, salaries, training, support and career progression.
This report examines the role bicultural workers currently play in Victoria’s community services, and the value they bring to the organisations that employ them and the communities they serve. The time has come for a greater understanding of the benefits of the bicultural workforce, and a more considered approach to how they can most effectively engage with communities, and build the cultural capacities of community health and care providers.
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