Migrant and refugee women across Australia will have better access to health education in their own language, with the Albanese Government committing $5.4 million to extend the Health in My Language (HiML) program. The funding will ensure the program runs nationwide in 2025-2026, enabling more women to access critical health information in a culturally safe and accessible way.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney said that removing language and cultural barriers is essential to making healthcare truly accessible. “All women deserve the best possible healthcare. To achieve that, we must break down prohibitive barriers like English proficiency and cultural taboos that prevent open discussions on health,” she said.
The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health leads the program, training and coordinating bicultural health educators who deliver sessions directly to communities. Covering topics like sexual and reproductive health, cancer screenings, and COVID-19, the program has already made an impact since its launch in 2022. The extension will allow it to reach even more women, equipping them with the knowledge needed to make informed health decisions.
“No person or group should feel unsafe, judged, or unwelcome when seeking healthcare,” Kearney added. “We must make healthcare always accessible by ensuring information is available in diverse languages and in culturally safe and appropriate ways.”
Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill highlighted the program’s role in delivering fairness and equity within Australia’s multicultural society. “The great promise of Australian multiculturalism is the promise of a fair go – that everybody has access to the information and services they need to have a fair crack at life,” he said.
The HiML program operates in partnership with organisations across the country, including True Relationships and Reproductive Health in Queensland, STARTTS in New South Wales, Women’s Health Matters in the ACT, and the Australian Red Cross in multiple states and territories. It provides a direct connection between trained educators and communities, ensuring health messages are not lost in translation.
Hill emphasised the success of the initiative and the importance of continuing its impact. “The Albanese Government’s Health in My Language program has empowered thousands of women from all backgrounds to access culturally appropriate healthcare information in language since 2022,” he said. “The extension of this program will build on that success, ensuring women and girls can continue to make informed decisions around their health.”
With this latest commitment, the government is reinforcing its focus on health equity, ensuring migrant and refugee women across Australia have the knowledge and support they need to prioritise their wellbeing.
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Migrant & refugee women in Australia will gain better health education in their language, thanks to a $5.4M boost for the Health in My Language program. 💙 Empowering communities through accessible healthcare! 🏥 @gedkearney @JulianHillMP #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/f5YuMGXqJO
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