Budget 2026-27: Peak body welcomes targeted funding while urging more support for multicultural Victorians
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomes funding to support migrant and refugee communities outlined in today’s State Budget.
As cost-of-living continues to bite, the Allan Government’s Budget delivers a number of practical measures aimed at providing relief. Initiatives such as subsidised public transport, fuel price caps and vehicle registration discounts will benefit multicultural Victorians.
ECCV also notes the Government’s continued investment in programs specifically supporting multicultural communities, including:
- $3.4 million in 2026-27 for community led projects to fight racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
- $3.4 million in 2026-27 to support refugees and people seeking asylum suffering financial hardship and not eligible for other support to access essential needs.
- $61.9 million over the next four years for the English as an Additional Language program, including interpreting and translation services in schools.
- $5.5 million allocated to support implementation of recommendations from the South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group, including dedicated community programs and a feasibility study to establish a new South Sudanese Community Hub.
In a win for our multicultural seniors, ECCV is particularly pleased to see guaranteed two-year funding for the Multicultural Seniors Support Program. ECCV’s research has shown the critical role played by ethnic seniors’ clubs in supporting the wellbeing of older Victorians, reducing social isolation and maintaining cultural connections.
The new $5.4 million investment will support seniors’ groups to meet rising operational costs, as recommended in ECCV’s pre-budget submission.
ECCV urges all political parties to commit to sustained investment ahead of November poll
While this Budget includes some welcome initiatives and maintains consistent spending for 2026–27, ECCV warns that additional investment will be needed to sustain multicultural policies and programs in coming years.
In a challenging fiscal environment, continued support for culturally diverse communities and the organisations and services that support them must be a top priority.
Cost-of-living pressures amid global uncertainty are having a significant impact on multicultural Victorians, many of whom already face systemic barriers, including discrimination and unequal access to essential services. Further investment will be needed to fully respond to these ongoing needs.
As we look ahead to future policy development and the state election later this year, ECCV reiterates our call for adequate funding to implement the State Government’s ambitious plans for a whole-of-government Multicultural Strategy.
ECCV encourages the next State Government to continue investing in key areas, such as:
- Multicultural peak bodies and regional ethnic communities’ councils, to support and advocate for culturally diverse Victorians
- The Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program, to tackle hate in all forms
- Language and interpreting services across health and other services, to ensure fair access for all
- Preventative, early intervention approaches in youth justice, to reduce reliance on punitive responses
Victorians come from more than 300 cultural backgrounds, speak over 290 languages and follow almost 200 faiths. Our diversity is our strength, requiring constant care through sustained, strategic investment over the next decade and beyond.
Quote attributable to Farah Farouque, ECCV CEO:
“It’s good to see several practical measures in the Budget, but beyond that we really need to see greater investment in multicultural organisations that do so much to support communities. We hope to see this addressed as we head into the state election.”
“I’m also pleased to see an additional two years of funding for grassroots seniors’ clubs, which play a vital role in supporting connection and wellbeing. ECCV has long advocated for an ongoing investment in ethnic seniors’ clubs.”
Quote attributable to Silvia Renda, ECCV Chair:
“As Victoria heads toward a state election, multicultural communities must be central to the commitments of all political parties.”
“This Budget includes welcome measures, but they must be matched by sustained investment in the organisations and services that support culturally diverse communities every day.”
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Phone: (03) 9354 9555
