The Victorian Government has announced that applications will soon open for key positions for a new proposed statutory body, Multicultural Victoria, to be established later this year.

The agency was a key recommendation of the recent Victorian Multicultural Review and is aimed at platforming the voices of multicultural and multifaith communities.

The review heard from more than 600 Victorians across 50 sessions and has recommended ways of strengthening support for multicultural and multifaith communities.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Sitt says Multicultural Victoria will improve how government listens to and connects directly with communities on the ground, ensuring it is better equipped to support and empower them.

The new entity will bring together the functions of two separate bodies: the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and Multicultural Affairs.

It will also have new responsibilities including developing safety plans for communities affected by disasters and distressing events.

Applications will shortly open a ‘Coordinator General’ who will lead Multicultural Victoria, and two Deputy Coordinators General, one of whom will be from regional Victoria. There will also be a Multicultural Community Advisory Group.

The opening of applications coincides with the end of Vivienne Nguyen’s term as chair of the VMC.

Louise Perry has been appointed as Chairperson to support this transitional period, starting Thursday 16 July.  Her term is interim until Multicultural Victoria is established.

A Victorian woman of Burmese descent, she began her working life as a journalist, has experience in leading community organisations and enjoyed an extensive career in the International Development Human Rights space before joining the Victorian Public Service.

Minster Stitt said the changes will support and uplift Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities as champions of unity and cohesion, delivering benefits for all Victorians.

“We are backing Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities – ensuring their voices are represented and heard,” she said.

“Labor will always support a multicultural Victoria. Multiculturalism is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths.

“I want to thank Vivienne for her valuable contributions to the Victorian Multicultural Commission and to Victoria’s multicultural communities since 2019,” Minister Stitt said.

Parliament will vote to establish Multicultural Victoria in the coming months, with a state election due in November.

Outgoing VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen said: “It has been a privilege serving the multicultural and faith communities and supporting them in their advocacy efforts with curiosity, sincerity and integrity.”

Meanwhile, Minister Stitt has also announced $4.9 million in funding for almost 200 multicultural organisations across Victoria through the 2025–26 Multicultural Capacity Building Program (MCBP).

The grant program gives multicultural organisations the opportunity to strengthen their foundations and increase their impact within their communities.

The successful organisations support more than 46 different ethnicities and 15 faith groups, with more than $1.6 million of funding allocated to organisations from new and emerging and regional communities.

Successful recipients include the Australian Iranian Society of Victoria who will receive funding to establish a sustainable operational base and expand education and community engagement initiatives.

South Sudanese Australian Academic Society Inc will expand the Just Drop-In program to continue delivering education and wellbeing support programs, and the Gurduaras Council of Victoria will enhance organisational capacity and expand culturally safe support services for Sikh Victorians.