The federal government will establish a new Office for Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Home Affairs, as part of a broader response to last year’s Multicultural Framework Review and to ensure better support for Australia’s increasingly diverse population.
The new office will be led by Dr Anne Aly, who was promoted to Cabinet last month and is now the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Australia. Speaking to SBS News, Dr Aly said the move was “a step in the right direction” toward embedding multiculturalism into core government decision-making.
“The Office for Multicultural Affairs will be there to lead, to coordinate and to be a strong voice for multicultural communities across all portfolios,” Dr Aly said.
The office is tasked with strengthening policy coordination across departments, developing strategic responses to challenges faced by multicultural communities, and ensuring that federal policy keeps pace with Australia’s demographic realities.
ABS data shows record overseas-born population
The announcement comes amid record migration and demographic change. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 8.6 million people—31.5 per cent of Australia’s estimated 27.2 million residents—were born overseas as of 30 June 2024, the highest proportion ever recorded.
India is now the second most common country of birth after Australia, with 916,000 Indian-born residents, surpassing China (700,000) and New Zealand (618,000). England remains the largest overseas-born group, with 964,000 residents.
Other countries with significant populations in Australia include the Philippines (383,000), Vietnam (271,000) and Nepal (176,000), the latter showing some of the fastest growth in recent years.
Review calls for structural change
The Multicultural Framework Review, released in early 2024 and led by Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, found that federal multicultural governance structures were outdated, fragmented and lacked the authority and resources needed to address modern challenges. The report made 38 recommendations, including the establishment of a central Office for Multicultural Affairs.
The review also called for a Multicultural Australia Act, a refreshed National Multicultural Framework, and more formal mechanisms for engaging with multicultural communities in policymaking.
Dr Aly said the new office would play a critical role in that reform agenda. “This is about making sure that multiculturalism is not an add-on but central to the way government works,” she said.
Mixed views on Home Affairs placement
Some community advocates have expressed reservations about placing the office within the Home Affairs Department, which is also responsible for immigration enforcement and national security. But others have cautiously welcomed the decision, saying what matters most is how the office is resourced and empowered.
Dr Dellal said the office had the potential to become “a pivotal institution,” if it is backed by real authority, adequate funding, and strong community engagement.
Further announcements are expected in the coming months regarding staffing, budget, and advisory structures.
Dr Aly affirmed the government’s commitment to listening to diverse communities. “We are a proudly multicultural nation, and this office is about making sure that every part of government reflects that,” she said.
