Australia’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Yet many multicultural children and families continue to face barriers accessing the services and supports that contribute to healthy development and long-term wellbeing. Research shows that children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are less likely to participate in early learning, access developmental supports and engage with some health services, despite often experiencing greater need.
Recognising this challenge, the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC) has helped bring together philanthropic partners to support a national scoping project led by Settlement Services International (SSI). The National Multicultural Children Scoping Project is funded by Minderoo Foundation, Equity Trustees and The Bryan Foundation, and seeks to identify practical options for strengthening advocacy, representation and system voice for multicultural children and families.
Through IDAC, the partners have aligned around a shared objective: exploring how Australia’s systems can better recognise, engage and respond to the needs and experiences of multicultural children and families. The project reflects a collective commitment to ensuring that the voices of multicultural communities are better represented in policy development, service design and decision-making.
Drawing inspiration and expertise from existing community and multicultural groups, the work will investigate approaches that help embed lived experience, cultural responsiveness and community leadership across government systems and services.
The project is engaging children and young people aged 4–12, parents and caregivers, community leaders, grassroots multicultural organisations, service providers, educators, governments, philanthropy and researchers. Conversations are taking place across every state and territory, alongside confidential surveys and online engagement to enable families in regional, rural and remote communities to participate.
The project will culminate in an options paper outlining potential pathways forward, including implementation considerations and future investment opportunities.
For IDAC, the work represents an important investment in system strengthening. By helping ensure multicultural children and families have a stronger voice in decisions that affect them, the project aims to support more culturally responsive services, more equitable access to opportunities and better outcomes for children across Australia.
Ultimately, stronger systems are built when the voices of those they serve are heard, valued and reflected in decision-making. This project seeks to ensure multicultural children and families are part of shaping the future of Australia’s early years system.
Quotes attributable to Rosie Bridge, Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children
“If we want systems that work for all children, we need to ensure all children and families are reflected in how those systems are designed. This project is an opportunity to better understand how multicultural children and families can contribute to shaping the policies, services and supports that affect their lives.”
“One of IDAC’s core objectives is to bring partners together around opportunities for long-term systems change. By aligning investment and learning around this work, we’re helping create the conditions for more inclusive, culturally responsive systems that better support children and families to thrive.”
Quotes attributable to Kenny Duke, Settlement Services International (SSI)
“Multicultural children and families are a significant and growing part of Australia’s community, yet their voices are often underrepresented in the systems designed to support them. This project will help us better understand the barriers, strengths and opportunities that exist across the country.”
“Through consultation with communities, governments, service providers and philanthropic partners, we hope to identify practical pathways for strengthening representation and ensuring multicultural children and families are better reflected in policy, service design and decision-making.”
This scoping work is led by Settlement Services International (SSI) and supported through a shared funding arrangement involving Minderoo Foundation, Equity Trustees and The Bryan Foundation, with coordination and stewardship support provided through the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC).
To learn more or to take part visit: National Multicultural Children Scoping Project
