The 2026 Victorian State Election is an opportunity to invest in a Victoria where people from all cultural backgrounds can participate, contribute and flourish.
Drawing on statewide community consultations and concerns identified in our annual member survey, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria’s platform sets out practical recommendations for the next State Government. We make 14 recommendations under four areas for action: sustain communities, invest in belonging, support every generation and strengthen wellbeing and safety.
Our platform is a call to action to strengthen multicultural organisations, boost culturally responsive services, eliminate racism and build a stronger, more inclusive Victoria — for all of us.
“The 2026 Victorian State Election comes at a critical time for our multicultural state. Victoria’s multicultural communities contribute enormously to our economy, society and culture. Their voices – and votes – matter. Yet a growing number of people are feeling less secure about their place in our democracy. Cost-of-living pressures are placing strain on individuals and families, while racism and anti-migrant rhetoric are being expressed more openly than ever.
This is a test for our political culture and the parties who aspire to govern. The next Victorian Government must make strategic investments that strengthen multicultural communities and ensure our state’s extraordinary diversity remains one of our greatest strengths.”
Farah Farouque, ECCV CEO
Read our CEO’s introduction to the ECCV State Election Platform 2026 here.
The 2026 Victorian State Election is an opportunity to invest in a Victoria where people from all cultural backgrounds can participate, contribute and flourish.
Drawing on statewide community consultations and our member survey, ECCV’s platform sets out 14 practical recommendations for the next State Government.
Our platform is a call to action to strengthen multicultural organisations, boost culturally responsive services, eliminate racism and build a stronger, more inclusive Victoria — for all of us.
“The 2026 Victorian State Election comes at a critical time for our multicultural state.
Victoria’s multicultural communities contribute enormously to our economy, society and culture. Their voices – and votes – matter.
… The next Victorian Government must make strategic investments that strengthen multicultural communities and ensure our state’s extraordinary diversity remains one of our greatest strengths.”
Farah Farouque, ECCV CEO
Read our CEO’s introduction to the ECCV State Election Platform 2026 here.
Sustain communities
Support ECCV as the independent peak body
As Victoria’s multicultural population has grown, so has demand for policy advice, community consultation, statewide initiatives and support for more than 230 member organisations.
Long-term funding is needed to retain skilled staff, preserve institutional and community knowledge and provide consistent, independent advice to government.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Commit to an eight-year core funding agreement for ECCV. As Victoria’s independent and trusted multicultural peak body, the organisation requires secure, increased core funding to expand statewide engagement, strengthen community partnerships and support social cohesion.
→ Read in full here
Support regional organisations
Regional Ethnic Communities’ Councils play a vital role connecting and supporting multicultural communities across regional Victoria. As settlement services have declined and more migrants and refugees move to regional areas, demand has continued to grow.
Sustainable investment will ensure trusted local organisations can continue supporting communities and representing regional voices.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Provide sustainable funding for Regional Ethnic Communities’ Councils (RECCs) to strengthen multicultural services and support social cohesion in regional and rural Victoria.
→ Read in full here
Develop the capability of the multicultural sector
Community organisations are the foundation of Victoria’s multicultural sector. They create belonging, improve wellbeing and provide trusted local support, but many are volunteer-led and operate with limited resources.
Investment in organisational capability will help multicultural organisations become more sustainable and better support their communities.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Provide ongoing and increased funding through the Multicultural Capacity Building Program, or a similar initiative, for community-based multicultural organisations.
→ Read in full here
Invest in belonging
Eliminate racism and hate
Racism was the number one issue raised during ECCV’s statewide consultations. While Victoria has made important progress through its Anti-Racism Strategy, stronger investment is needed to prevent racism, support people affected and strengthen community responses.
Expanding successful community-led initiatives will help create safer and more inclusive communities.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Invest in a comprehensive anti-racism package that:
• establishes five new Anti-Racism Support Networks in additional local government areas, including regional Victoria, while providing ongoing funding for existing networks
• funds annual Local Anti-Racism Initiative (LARI) grant rounds over the next four years to expand locally led anti-racism initiatives
• expands anti-racism programs in Victorian schools.
→ Read in full here
Create Intercultural Hubs in Melbourne's growth corridors
Melbourne’s growth corridors are among Victoria’s fastest growing and most culturally diverse communities. More local spaces are needed where people from different backgrounds can connect, collaborate and build stronger relationships.
Community-led Intercultural Hubs would strengthen belonging and social resilience.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Commit to a pilot of two Intercultural Hubs in Melbourne’s growth corridors, beginning with a funded, community-led consultation and co-design process facilitated by ECCV.
→ Read in full here
Revitalise language education
Language learning strengthens identity, belonging and educational outcomes while helping develop the next generation of bilingual and bicultural professionals.
Many multicultural communities continue to experience gaps in family and heritage language education. Better access will strengthen communities and support Victoria’s future workforce.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Reaffirm the principles of Australia’s National Policy on Languages and revitalise language education in government primary schools. This should include reinforcing minimum expectations for language instruction and expanded access in underserved communities, with programs better matched to local demographics.
→ Read in full here
Support every generation
Establish Multicultural Ageing
Older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds often face barriers to accessing services, ageing well and remaining connected to their communities.
A coordinated statewide approach will improve elder abuse prevention, strengthen community partnerships and help multicultural older Victorians live safely, independently and with dignity.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Launch Multicultural Ageing, a place-based initiative coordinated by ECCV and delivered in partnership with multicultural communities and local organisations in six local government areas, complemented by a new statewide Centre of Excellence for Multicultural Ageing.
→ Read in full here
Strengthen relationships between the generations
Migration and settlement can create unique challenges for multicultural families as different generations navigate culture, identity and belonging.
Supporting families through practical, community-led programs will strengthen communication, wellbeing and resilience.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Funding for a new pilot program, Generations Together, to strengthen relationships between multicultural parents, caregivers and young people by promoting family wellbeing and resilience.
→ Read in full here
Extend free public transport for young people
Transport costs can prevent young people from accessing education, training, employment and other services.
Extending free public transport would reduce cost-of-living pressures and improve opportunities for young Victorians.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Extend free public transport for young Victorians to age 21 to improve access to education, training and employment.
→ Read in full here
Strengthen wellbeing and safety
Invest in multicultural mental health
Many multicultural Victorians experience barriers accessing culturally appropriate mental health care.
Long-term partnerships between multicultural organisations and mainstream services will improve access, strengthen early intervention and deliver more culturally responsive care.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Invest in partnerships between grassroots multicultural organisations and mainstream mental health services in line with the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework 2025–2035.
→ Read in full here
Prevent gambling harm
Multicultural communities can face additional barriers accessing gambling harm prevention and support, despite being disproportionately affected by problem gambling.
Community-led, culturally responsive prevention programs will improve awareness, reduce stigma and strengthen local support.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Fund a two-year culturally tailored gambling harm prevention initiative across five priority local government areas, delivered by local multicultural and ethno-specific organisations.
→ Read in full here
Prevention before punishment
Community-led early intervention delivers better outcomes for young people while improving community safety and reducing long-term costs.
Victoria should continue investing in prevention and culturally responsive approaches that address the underlying causes of youth offending.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Commit to sustained investment in evidence-based early intervention and prevention that reduces the overrepresentation of multicultural and First Nations young people in the youth justice system by:
• Investing in initiatives such as the Violence Reduction Unit
• Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14.
→ Read in full here
Bolster refugee health
Refugees and people seeking asylum often experience complex health needs while facing barriers accessing services.
Long-term investment in refugee health will improve continuity of care, strengthen the workforce and ensure people receive timely, culturally responsive support.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Provide enhanced, long-term funding for the Victoria’s Refugee Health Program to expand access in growth areas, strengthen workforce capacity and ensure newly arrived refugees and people seeking asylum receive timely, culturally responsive health care and system navigation support.
→ Read in full here
Support the next generation of bicultural workers
Bicultural workers are essential to delivering culturally responsive services across health, aged care, disability, mental health and community services.
Recognising the profession through accredited training will strengthen workforce capability and improve outcomes for multicultural communities.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Invest in the creation of a standardised, accredited qualification for bicultural workers to work in the provision of community services.
→ Read in full here
Review the full State Election Platform
Four areas of actions. 14 recommendations. Together, ECCV’s recommendations provide a practical roadmap for the next Victorian Government.
→ Read in full here