From 30 March 2012, this clearinghouse will be amalgamated into Child Family Community Australia (CFCA Information Exchange). For more information see the CFCA Information Exchange FAQ
Culturally and linguistically diverse families - Resources
Resources related to culturally and linguistically diverse families that will assist practitioners, managers and service providers in their work and/or provide information and resources for families and family members. Suggestions for inclusions are always welcome, please contact AFRC.
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Trends and statistics
Community Information Summaries – DIAC
The Community Information Summaries describe the communities in Australia by country of birth, and their descendants who are living in Australia. These summaries present a broad range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Most have a brief historical background on the community. The summaries are available for the first 100 countries of birth.
The Settlement Reporting Facility utilises the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Settlement Database with statistical data on permanent arrivals to Australia since January 1991.
The Settlement Database brings together data from various internal and external sources to assist government and community agencies involved in the planning and provision of services to migrants. The settlement database can also be of use to researchers or members of the general public.
Settler Arrival Tables are available at http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/oad/
DIAC Surveys
The DIAC survey outcomes provide an evidence base for assessment of government policies and programs.
Continuous Survey of Australia's Migrants - DIAC
Survey of family and skill stream migrants.
The Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia
Data on the outcomes of three groups of migrants, those who:
- arrived in Australia between September 1993 and August 1995 (LSIA 1)
- arrived in Australia between September 1999 and August 2000 (LSIA 2)
- either arrived in Australia, or were granted a permanent visa in Australia between December 2004 and March 2005.
States and Territories
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
The Victorian Multicultural Commission is an independent statutory authority that provides independent advice to the Victorian Government to inform the development of legislative and policy frameworks and the delivery of services to the culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse society.
Multicultural Affairs Queensland(MAQ)
Multicultural Affairs Queensland works to strengthen multiculturalism providing advice on multicultural issues, coordinating multicultural policy development and planning and promoting positive community relations.
Community Relations Commission NSW (CRC)
The Community Relations Commission is the leading government agency supporting multicultural communities in NSW, it builds strong relationships with ethnic community groups and develops and fosters extensive networks throughout various communities through its programs and services. As such, the CRC is positioned to provide comprehensive advice to the government on multicultural issues.
Office of Multicultural Interests, Western Australia
OMI supports the development of State Government policies and programs to promote multiculturalism and improve services to Western Australians from diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds.
Multicultural SA is the agency responsible for advising the Government on all matters relating to multicultural and ethnic affairs in South Australia.
Multicultural Tasmania provides policy advice to Government on issues relating to multicultural affairs and has the role to ensure that appropriate and equitable services are provided to all Tasmanians, taking into account the State's cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.
Multicultural Directory - Department of Justice (VIC)
This Directory brings together for the first time the wide range of programs and services provided to the multicultural communities by the Department of Justice (VIC) and information about the broad range of justice and welfare related services provided by the community sector. Includes a section that contains information about organisations and agencies who support specific ethnic groups, listed by the appropriate language.
Australian Human Rights Commission
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) - immigration, asylum seekers and refugees
The HREOC website includes a factsheet on the impact of bridging visas restrictions on asylum seekers, a section of questions and answers on immigration detention and human rights, and on asylum seekers, refugees and human rights. Links are also available to the range of HREOC work related to immigration, asylum seekers and refugees.
Australian Human Rights Commission's contribution to informed factual public debate about race, Indigenous peoples and cultural diversity in Australia. Publication provides information about Indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Organisations and Programs
Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia
Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) is the national body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA's role is to advocate, lobby and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.
Australian Multicultural Foundation
The Australian Multicultural Foundation was established in 1988 as a legacy of Australia's Bicentenary to: promote awareness among the people of Australia and the contribution for people from all cultures and the development of Australia; spread respect, tolerance and understanding between all cultural groups through any appropriate means; cultivate in all Australians a strong commitment to Australia as one people drawn from many cultures.
The Centre for Multicultural Youth
The Centre for Multicultural Youth is a community based organisation that provides services to and advocates for the needs of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Adult Multicultural Education Services
The Adult Migrant Education Services (AMES) is a major provider of English language and settlement services in Victoria.
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing supports the aged care sector to address the needs of elderly people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The organisation provides training, consultancy and translation services to culturally and linguistically diverse communities to better understand the aged care services available in Australia.
National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA)
The national peak organisation representing the rights and interests of people from non-English speaking background (NESB) with disability, their families and carers throughout Australia. NEDA is a community based, non-government organisation funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Multicultural Communities Council of SA
The Multicultural Communities Council of SA is the peak organisation that services and advocates for CALD communities in South Australia.
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH)
A women's health organisation committed to improving the health of immigrant and refugee women around Australia.
Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH)
Agency that provides specialist information, training and support on cultural diversity and wellbeing. They also offer practical support and training to help organisations improve outcomes for culturally diverse clients and communities.
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre caters for the needs of newly arrived and established migrants and refugees. The Centre has developed settlement service packages specifically tailored to meet the on-arrival and longer term settlement and integration needs.
Immigration Museum - Melbourne
The Immigration Museum re-creates the real-life stories of migrants to Australia with a mix of moving images, personal and community voices, memories and memorabilia.
The Diversity and Social Cohesion Program (DSCP)
The Diversity and Social Cohesion Program is an Australian Government initiative that evolved from the 'Living in Harmony' program which was established in 1998. The primary objective of DSCP is to help not for profit community organisations turn plans into reality to promote respect, fairness and sense of belonging for everyone. DSCP has a small grants program to support multicultural arts and festivals.
Brotherhood of St Laurence—Ecumenical Migration Centre (VIC)
The EMC, established in 1962, is one of the oldest agencies of its kind in Australia. EMC works statewide and across ethnic, faith and language boundaries for the full participation of migrants and refugees and the development of Australia as a multicultural society. The Centre’s activities include:
- casework/counselling
- community development and organisational support for new and emerging communities
- service development and special projects across sectors
- policy analysis and advice
- information, action research and publications
The Centre for Refugee Research holds a range of information about many aspects of refugee rights, refugee law, policy and service provision.
Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma
The Forum of Australia Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) is a network of Australia's eight specialist rehabilitation agencies that work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. There is one FASSTT member agency in each state and territory of Australia.
Migrant Resource Centres
Migrant Resource Centres (MRC) exist in many cities and towns throughout Australia. Use a search engine or directory to find your nearest MRC.
Mensline Australia | Separation - looking after yourself (Arabic) Children and separation (Arabic)
Mensline provides a national telephone counselling support service for men with family and relationship concerns. Communication materials that respond to the specific needs of Arabic men are provided at the above links. Materials are also available for Indigenous and young men.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
MMHA provides national leadership in mental health and suicide prevention for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
The Refugee Council of Australia is a non-profit peak organisation. It provides information on and advocacy for refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia on behalf of its 100 organisational members and many individual members.
Fact sheets designed for migrant and refugee families, in five languages, aimed to provide information on four issues – What is child abuse? What is neglect? Domestic violence and children, Your family and child safety.
Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit
The VTPU is a statewide unit which supports area mental health and psychiatric disability support services in working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers and carers throughout Victoria.
Families and Parenting
Families in Cultural Transition (FICT)
Program under STARTTS, the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. STARTTS undertakes research and provides training in related issues.
ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents
Offers parent resources in Arabic, Macedonian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Parenting Between Cultures: The Primary School Years – manual (PDF 2.9 MB)
A program for parents from culturally and linguistically diverse communities produced by the Marymead Child and Family Centre.
Parenting in a new culture: the preschool years (PDF 638 KB)
Produced by the Northern Migrant Resource Centre
Language Services
Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc.
AUSIT is a national association for the translating and interpreting profession.
We Speak Your Language: Guide to Cross Cultural Communication (PDF 754 KB)
Published by Victorian Interpreting and Translating Services, the guide provides a useful starting point for those engaging in cross-cultural communication. It includes an outline of the basics of cross-cultural communication as well as information on the use of translators and interpreters.
Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS) – DIAC
Professional interpreting service, provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, for people who do not speak English and for the English speakers who need to communicate with them.