The Victorian Government has announced $4.9 million in funding for close to 200 multicultural organisations, saying the grants are intended to strengthen community groups and improve support for multicultural and multifaith Victorians across the state.
Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria Ingrid Stitt announced the funding through the 2025 to 2026 Multicultural Capacity Building Program, which provides grants to help community organisations build their long term capacity, expand services and improve governance.
According to the government, the successful organisations represent more than 46 ethnic communities and 15 faith groups. More than $1.6 million has been allocated to organisations serving new and emerging communities as well as regional Victoria.
The funding comes as the Allan Government continues to place multicultural policy at the centre of its agenda, arguing that community organisations play a key role in supporting social inclusion, preserving cultural identity and helping people access services.
Among the recipients is the Australian Iranian Society of Victoria, which will use the funding to establish a permanent operational base while expanding education programs and community engagement activities.
The South Sudanese Australian Academic Society Inc has secured funding to continue and expand its Just Drop In program, which provides educational and wellbeing support. The Gurduaras Council of Victoria will receive funding to strengthen its organisational capacity and broaden culturally appropriate support services for Sikh communities across Victoria.
The Multicultural Capacity Building Program was identified as one of the responses to recommendations made in the Victorian Multicultural Review, released in September 2025. The review called for stronger support for grassroots organisations, arguing that many community groups face ongoing challenges in maintaining sustainable operations while responding to growing demand for services.
Community organisations often provide settlement assistance, language support, cultural programs, mental health initiatives and connections to government services, particularly for newly arrived migrants and refugee communities. Many also rely heavily on volunteers and limited financial resources.
The government says the latest round of funding is designed to help organisations strengthen governance, improve financial sustainability and build their ability to deliver services over the longer term.
Victoria remains Australia’s most culturally diverse state, with residents speaking hundreds of languages and representing communities from around the world. Governments of different political persuasions have supported multicultural programs over many years, although funding priorities and approaches have varied.
While grants such as these are generally welcomed by recipient organisations, multicultural advocates have also pointed to broader issues including rising living costs, settlement pressures, housing affordability and experiences of racism, arguing that ongoing investment will be needed alongside one off funding initiatives.
The Allan Government has framed the latest grants as part of its broader multicultural strategy, describing grassroots organisations as essential partners in building connected and resilient communities.
Announcing the funding, Ms Stitt said Victoria’s multicultural communities were central to the state’s identity and future.
“Victoria is a proudly multicultural state. Labor stands with multicultural and multifaith Victorians because they make our state stronger,” she said.
She said grassroots organisations were at the heart of local communities and the funding would help them continue supporting Victorians from diverse backgrounds.
Successful organisations will receive funding over the 2025 to 2026 period to strengthen their operations and expand programs within their communities. Information about the Multicultural Capacity Building Program and the full list of recipients is available through the Victorian Government.
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