Multicultural Victoria Act 2004

Victoria’s social, cultural and economic life has been invigorated by successive waves of immigration, which highlights the positive effects of cultural diversity. With over 40% of Victorians having either been born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas, Victoria is one of the world’s most culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The new window icon Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 (WORD 105kb) Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 (PDF 623 kb) was passed by Parliament in December 2004 and came into operation on 1 January 2005. The Act consolidates and expands existing policy and legislative frameworks.

The Act:

  • establishes a number of important principles of multiculturalism
  • strengthens the new window icon Victorian Multicultural Commission and
  • establishes reporting requirements for government departments in relation to multicultural affairs.

Importantly, the Act:
  • does not create ‘new rights’
  • does not impose obligations on any Victorians to comply with other cultural norms or modify their own beliefs and customs and
  • does not create new offences

The Act enshrines the Victorian Government’s commitment to all Victorians. It ensures that all Victorians are treated with equality, fairness and respect and recognises the social, cultural and economic contribution of Victoria’s multicultural community.

In its Annual Statement of Government Intentions (February 2008) the Victorian Government signalled that it would amend the Act to:
  • Formalise the changes following the merger of the Victorian Multicultural Commission with the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs;
  • Enhance the whole-of-Government approach to multicultural affairs and provide greater community focus;
  • Improve the accountability of Government Departments in the area of multicultural affairs; and
  • Ensure compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

    The Multicultural Victoria Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament in December 2008 and received royal assent on 11 December 2008.

    The Multicultural Victoria Act 2008 includes:
  • Enhanced functions for the VMC
  • Additional reporting requirements for Government Departments in the area of multicultural affairs
  • Provision for the appointment of a Director of the Victorian Multicultural Commission

    Summary in multiple languages


    A summary of the Multicultural Victoria Act is available in the following 21 languages:



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