The Minister for Youth Justice aimed to address the over-representation of certain groups in youth justice. This approach drew on lived cultural and justice system experience. Groups included South Sudanese Australian, other African Australian and Pasifika Australian young people. The Minister allocated $3 million over 3 years for programs supporting multicultural young people in youth justice (DJCS: $0.173 million in 2023–24).
The Youth Justice Lived-Experience Mentoring Program includes:
- a mentoring program at the Centre for Multicultural Youth
- additional mentoring programs selected through a grants process
- evaluation of funded lived-experience mentoring programs, conducted by Deakin University.
These programs empower young people to build relationships and foster social inclusion. They also encourage connection to community and culture.
The Multicultural Seniors Support 2021–2025 program supported more than 990 seniors organisations. The program helped these organisations to run social and cultural activities, improve digital accessibility and literacy, and purchase essential equipment and resources. It also contributed to running and insurance costs (DPC: $2 million in 2023–24).
The Multicultural Festivals and Events Program supported 573 organisations to deliver multicultural festivals and events across the state during 2023–24 (DPC: $2.575 million).
In 2023–24, the Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund supported 73 regional multicultural organisations to hold events in regional Victoria (DPC: $1.187 million in 2023–24).
Case study
Buddha's Light International Association of Victoria Inc. is a multicultural faith-based organisation. It promotes humanistic Buddhism through multicultural understanding, compassion and social harmony. The organisation runs religious and community activities, provides support services and delivers multicultural events.
In May 2024, the organisation held the 2024 Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival to celebrate multiculturalism. Around 80,000 people attended the 3-day event at Federation Square in Melbourne. It included traditional Buddhist ceremonies, multicultural performances and digital animations, as well as mindfulness and meditation experiences.
It gave Victorians the chance to learn about Buddhism by engaging in traditional rituals, dragon dances and meditation. The 2023–24 Multicultural Festivals and Events program provided $25,000 for the festival.
Case study
Benalla Migrants Association Inc. supports migrants to settle in Benalla. It helps people connect and provides a safe space for migrants.
In November 2023, the organisation delivered the Diwali festival, a significant Hindu celebration symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
More than 2,500 people attended the event. It included Indian food, music and dance, along with large-scale art projections and light shows. This event allowed the community from Benalla and other regional towns and metropolitan Melbourne to gather and celebrate.
The Multicultural Festivals and Events program provided $30,000 for the event.
Case study
The African Music and Cultural Festival ran from 17 to 19 November 2023 at Federation Square in Melbourne. Now in its 10th year, it is the largest African festival in Australia.
More than 35 African Australian communities and organisations helped to put it on. The festival aims to increase cultural awareness and build relationships between different cultures.
Over 50,000 people came to Federation Square to enjoy the many festival activities. These included face painting, street food, cultural performances and artists showing dance, music, fashion and drumming lessons. The organisation received $100,000 to run the festival as part of a $400,000 4-year election commitment through the Multicultural Festivals and Events program.
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