The federal government is reaching out to multicultural communities and organisations to raise public awareness and ensure its $31 million COVID-19 vaccination campaign is available to everyone.

As part of the public information campaign an additional $1.3 million will be provided for peak multicultural organisations to help reach culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

The government’s goal is to make immunisation available to everyone in Australia in the safest and most effective way possible reaching as many people as possible.

Australia is extending free access to Covid‑19 vaccines to all visa-holders in Australia including refugees, asylum seekers, temporary protection visa holders and those on bridging visas. People currently residing in detention facilities will also be eligible, as well as those whose visas have been cancelled.

This follows a major roundtable involving community leaders and organisations to discuss a comprehensive roll-out plan, including communication activities and community engagement strategies, in partnership with multicultural specialist agencies and, with advice from the national CALD Communities COVID-19 Health Advisory Group.

The campaign will reach Australians through a range of channels including regular website updates, social media, health professionals and community and grass roots organisations, networks, and the media.

It includes advertising in 32 languages across radio, print and social media, and will extend to communities that are harder to reach through traditional channels.

Messages will target specific multicultural groups to ensure everyone in Australia has a full understanding of the vaccination program.

People working in sectors such as aged care will be in the first groups to be vaccinated and are from CALD communities, and it is critical that they receive translated information that is culturally appropriate.

Translated resources are been developed for multicultural communities, including radio and print editorials, a video development guide for community leaders to film their own videos, in-language web content, social media posts, posters, and newsletter articles. The Department of Health’s vaccine hub also has a translation button for 63 languages available on its website and on mobile devices.

AMES Australia and other agencies are working with the Government to execute and promote the campaign through info-graphics, videos and other materials in multiple languages.