The Victorian Government has announced a strengthened and expanded Multicultural Health Advisory Committee, bringing together health experts and community leaders to help shape a more inclusive health system for a diverse state.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas confirmed the new appointments, saying the committee would play a central role in improving how the health system engages with multicultural communities across Victoria.
Victoria is home to people from more than 300 ancestries, speaking over 290 languages and practising more than 200 faiths. While this diversity is widely seen as a defining feature of the state, many communities continue to face barriers when accessing health care and information, often linked to language, culture, faith and social factors.
The committee brings together experienced health sector professionals from multicultural backgrounds, alongside representatives from key peak bodies including the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Refugee Health Network. Their combined professional expertise and lived experience are intended to provide insight into gaps within the system and practical ways to address them.
Chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health, Kat Theophanous MP, the committee’s first task will be to support the delivery of a new Victorian Multicultural Health Survey, expected to open in early 2026. The survey is designed to give multicultural and multifaith Victorians a direct channel to share their experiences with the health system.
The feedback gathered through the survey will be used to identify barriers and areas for improvement, with the aim of building a system that responds more effectively to the needs of all communities
The feedback gathered through the survey will be used to identify barriers and areas for improvement, with the aim of building a system that responds more effectively to the needs of all communities. It will also provide an opportunity for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to put forward ideas for change.
The committee’s remit has been expanded to include mental health. Members will advise the Government on the implementation of the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing 10 Year Framework, along with the Multicultural Health Action Plan 2023–27. The framework sets out a long-term vision for a mental health and wellbeing system that is safe, inclusive and responsive to Victoria’s diversity.
“Our health system should work for every Victorian and with the work of the new Multicultural Health Advisory Committee, we can turn this into real action,” Minister Thomas said.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt said community voices would be central to the committee’s work. “We’re making sure we listen to our diverse multicultural communities to build a health system that is safe, inclusive and respectful,” she said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health Kat Theophanous highlighted the breadth of experience within the group. “This Committee brings together deep sector expertise and lived experience through an outstanding cohort of appointees to strengthen health advice and support fairer health outcomes for multicultural Victorians,” she said.
The newly appointed members include Arun Thomas, Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis, Dr Umber Rind, Dr Vitor Rocha, Josh Nguyen, Rana Ebrahimi, Tigist Kebede, Vedran Drakulic, Yue Hu, Farah Farouque as the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria representative, Dr Judy Tang representing the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Dr Shereen Labib from a Local Public Health Unit, and Gavin Halge representing the Victorian Refugee Health Network.
Multicultural Health Advisory Committee members
- Arun Thomas
- Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis
- Dr Umber Rind
- Dr Vitor Rocha
- Josh Nguyen
- Rana Ebrahimi
- Tigist Kebede
- Vedran Drakulic
- Yue Hu
- Farah Farouque – Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) representative
- Dr Judy Tang – Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) representative
- Dr Shereen Labib – Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) representative
- Gavin Halge – Victorian Refugee Health Network (VRHN) representative
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