Cultural diversity

Our commitment to cultural diversity

The City of Stonnington is dedicated to providing services and programs that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community.

We are proud that Stonnington is home to over residents from 120 countries, speaking more than 90 languages.

33% of our residents were born overseas
24% were born in a non-English speaking country
23% speak a language other than English at home

This vibrant diversity enriches our community, bringing a wealth of experiences, values, and perspectives that strengthen our social fabric.

Our Cultural Diversity Action Plan 2022–2025(PDF, 4MB) provides the framework for planning and delivering services that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of our CALD residents

Interpreter services

Residents can contact Council through Stonnington CommunityLink, a telephone interpreting service that enables them to communicate with Council staff in their preferred language.

For in-person appointments, an onsite interpreter can also be arranged to assist during meetings with Council staff

CALD library services

Collections in other languages are available at the following libraries:

Visit Stonnington libraries to learn more.

Support for international students

We support international students living in Stonnington by providing services, programs and information to assist with housing, employment and health. We also provide opportunities for students to participate in the community.

Read information for international students.

Community groups

Tjanabi is a weekly friendly meet up program and an opportunity to meet people from different cultures. Residents can join in a welcoming environment at Grattan Gardens Community Centre for music concerts, games, conversation, quizzes and a complimentary hot drink.

Conversation English language lessons

The Prahran Community Learning Centre provides English classes which are delivered in a fun, relaxed and open environment for all levels of learners.

Stonnington community directory

Access the community directory for information on multicultural groups and organisations.

Reporting racism and discrimination

If you experience or witness discrimination or racism, legal options and support services are available to you.

The City of Stonnington proudly supports the There's Nothing Casual About Racism campaign.

The Victorian Government has useful information on reporting racism in Victoria.

Immediate support

To report prejudice-motivated crime to Victoria Police:

call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency
call 131 444 for non-emergencies
make an online report.

Make a complaint

To make a complaint to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC):

call 1300 292 153
email enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
complete an online complaint form
write to the commission at Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton.

If you don't want to make a formal complaint but want to discuss your experience, use the VEOHRC Community Reporting Tool.

To make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission

call 1300 656 419
email complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au.

Community reporting options

To report antisemitism, call the Community Security Group 24/7 on 1300 000 274 or via the JEAP app.

To report racism and discrimination towards First Peoples, make an online report on the Call It Out Register.

Legal support

Southside Justice is a free legal service for low-income residents of Stonnington, Port Phillip and Bayside.

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services provides referrals, advice and case work assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Call 1800 064 865.

Additional resources

Community events and information

Community organisations with cultural events and information include:

Victorian Multicultural Commission - news and information on multicultural events in Victoria
SBS cultural atlas - learn more about the cultural background of Australia’s migrant populations
Explore Australia's cultural diversity, tolerance and anti-racism at Making multicultural Australia.
Multicultural education programs and resources for schools - resources and information to help schools build intercultural capability and strengthen inclusion.
Scanlon Foundation Research Institute - the Scanlon Foundation is the only philanthropic organisation in Australia focusing on enhancing, supporting and measuring Australia’s social cohesion.
Australian Sports Commission - participating in sport is valuable and meaningful for everyone and can have broader impact for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Community support

Organisations that provide community support include:

AMES- settlement services including help with learning English and finding a job.
Australian Multicultural Community Services - community support for older Victorians living at home.
Be Connected - develop your digital skills with worksheets covering the basics of using your device and connecting to the internet.
Learn English for free - through this program which helps eligible migrants with low English levels to improve their English language skills, develop work skills and improve their understanding of Australian community life.
MiCare - provides a range of services to people from ethnic backgrounds.
The Refugee Council of Australia - the national body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them.
Southern Migrant Resource Centre - a range of settlement and immigration services for residents of the Southern region.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship - information on immigration, citizenship and visas.
Multicultural mental health resources - developed for Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Multicultural Seniors Support Program - grants of up to $2,000 per annum are available for multicultural seniors’ groups to support their members and build stronger community connections.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - information and support services for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Australian Human Rights Commission - a statutory body established to ensure the observance of human rights in Australia.
Centre for Multicultural Youth - the Centre for Multicultural Youth is a not-for-profit organisation based in Victoria, providing specialist knowledge and support to young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Faith Communities Council of Victoria - the Faith Communities Council of Victoria is Victoria’s umbrella multifaith body.
Multicultural Centre for Women Health (MCWH) - MCWH is a not-for-profit organisation making women’s health work for migrant and refugee women.
Pathways Melbourne - pathways is an organisation which supports Jewish people who are building self-determined lives.

Health translations

Health translations website - Health information from trusted organisations translated into many languages.

Royal Women's Hospital - Select a topic to find translated fact sheets, or choose a language under Find a Fact sheet for a list of documents in your language.

My Aged Care - Information about aged care services in selected languages.

Multicultural resources

Media

3ZZZ is the largest ethnic community station in Australia with programs in 70 community languages.

SBS radio for news, information and music in community languages.

Translated resources for families

Translated resources for families include:

Free access to children's online picture books in many languages available on the International Children's Digital Library website. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, and Urdu.
Translated brochures and resources for families are available on the Ethnic Community Services Co-operative website.

COVID-19 information in your language

Find COVID-19 in your language.

COVID-19 resources and information in different community languages. Information includes fact sheets and promotional materials.

Victorian Equal opportunity & Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body in Victoria, Australia, established to promote and protect human rights, equality, and fairness.