Thousands of Australians speak more than one language, navigate more than one culture, and informally help others do the same. They guide relatives through hospital forms, explain NDIS paperwork to friends, and interpret Centrelink letters for neighbours. But many of them are doing this unofficially, unpaid, and often unrecognised. The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) wants that to change.
Its new report, Building Our Bicultural Workforce, calls on governments, employers, and policymakers to give these community navigators a proper place in the system. According to ECCV, bicultural workers—people who speak a language other than English and can operate across cultural lines—are quietly doing some of the most valuable work in the country. Yet there’s no agreed definition of their role, little structured training, and often no additional pay.
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque says it’s time to professionalise these roles, not just morally but strategically. “There needs to be proper recognition of the range of work that people from multicultural backgrounds do in the community,” she said. “By recognising bicultural workers as a distinct occupation category, we can really harness the talent and skills that exist in our multicultural populations.”
The timing of the report is no accident. As Australia’s population becomes more linguistically and culturally diverse, service gaps are widening. Roughly one in five people now speak a language other than English at home, according to the most recent census. Yet many services from aged care to mental health still operate with a one-size-fits-all approach that leaves culturally diverse clients behind.
The report points to the example of COVID-19. During the height of the pandemic, bicultural workers played a vital role in communicating health messages to migrant communities. Their knowledge of local networks and cultural nuance proved essential in breaking through misinformation and language barriers. ECCV argues that this should not be seen as a one-off emergency measure, but as a model to build on.
And there’s precedent. Organisations like Cohealth and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health have already embedded bicultural workers into their teams with training and support. The results have been clear: better access, greater trust, and more culturally appropriate care.
But this isn’t the norm. Many bicultural workers operate without formal job descriptions, training, or mental health support. Some are placed in situations where they’re expected to act as ad hoc interpreters or community liaisons even when it’s not part of their job, simply because they “speak the language”. That can lead to burnout.
ECCV’s report outlines four key changes:
- Better training and support
- Involving bicultural workers early in service design
- Clearer job descriptions
- Language and cultural alignment in service provision
It’s a shift that may require investment, but ECCV argues the return will be worth it. Improved service access means fewer misunderstandings, better health outcomes, and less duplication of effort. In mental health especially, culturally sensitive support can be the difference between someone seeking help or slipping through the cracks.
The push to recognise bicultural work isn’t new, but this report brings fresh urgency. It proposes an audit to identify how many people are already doing this kind of work and what roles they occupy. The aim is to plan more effectively and ensure that bilingual and bicultural skills don’t remain invisible assets.
Farouque is clear-eyed about the path forward. “Bicultural workers can help make community services more accessible for all,” she says. “It’s time these workers get the respect in the workplace they deserve.”
Read the full report: https://eccv.org.au/building-bicultural-workforce-report
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
