VMC Regional Advisory Councils

Insights Report from the 2025 Regional Advisory Forum released

The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has released Insights from the 2025 Regional Advisory Forum, highlighting the priorities and lived experiences of multicultural communities across Victoria.

Held on 26 June 2025, the Forum brought together over 100 participants – including members of the VMC’s eight Regional Advisory Councils, government representatives, community leaders, service providers and VMC Commissioners – with the support of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Discussions centred on six key themes: racism, employment, housing, family violence, mental health and youth justice. Through community-led panels, government responses and workshops, participants identified practical recommendations to address systemic inequities and strengthen inclusion and social cohesion.

As the independent voice for multicultural communities, the VMC will continue to work with government and local partners to ensure these recommendations inform real and lasting change.

Read the full report:

VMC Insights from the 2025 Regional Advisory Forum

PDF 26.56 MB

Regional Advisory Councils expressions of interest have now closed

Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) are the VMC’s grassroot connections across Victoria, keeping VMC Commissioners informed about issues that matter to multicultural communities. Community members hold unique perspectives and insights into the experiences of receiving or accessing services and programs. These insights are vital in helping the VMC understand complex issues from the perspective of service users.

The RACs are a platform for members to advise the VMC on matters of multicultural affairs, settlement, service delivery and other issues relating and of importance to multicultural communities. These voluntary roles present a unique opportunity to directly engage with the VMC and assist in promoting the benefits of diversity at the local level.

Regional Advisory Councils

A map of Victoria with highlighted colours of 8 regions advisory council areas (Barwon South West, Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Metro, Hume and Gippsland)

Metropolitan Areas

Area	Local Government Areas
North and West Metropolitan	Banyule, Brimbank, Darebin, Hobson's Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra
Southern Metropolitan	Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Glen Eira, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Stonnington
Eastern Metropolitan	Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges

Regional Areas

Area	Local Government Areas
Barwon South-West	Colac Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Greater Geelong, Moyne, Southern Grampians Surf Coast, Warrnambool, Queenscliff
Gippsland	Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland, Latrobe, South Gippsland, Wellington
Grampians	Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Moorabool, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, West Wimmera, Yarriambick
Hume	Alpine, Benalla, Wodonga, Greater Shepparton, Indigo, Mansfield, Mitchell, Moira, Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta
Loddon Mallee	Buloke, Macedon Rangers, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Gannawarra, Loddon, Mildura, Mount Alexander, Swan Hill

Each RAC is expected to be comprised of the following:

Local multicultural community leaders or individuals
Local service provider representatives
Local multicultural businesses and community organisations representatives

Local government or agency representatives.

Roles and responsibilities of RAC members

The Regional Advisory Councils role is to provide advice to the VMC on any matters of multicultural affairs in their local community, including:
Contributing their knowledge and perspectives to inform government policies and programs.
Informing government policy, settlement, and service delivery reforms.
Where possible, we seek assistance from the RAC members in:
Taking information back to their communities about services and programs.
Promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.
Sharing information from other consultative bodies with other RAC members where applicable.
Participating in multicultural and multifaith activities.
RAC members will adhere to the following standards of behaviour:
Respectful Communication: engage in respectful and professional communication with fellow members, VMC staff, and RAC Chairs.
Confidentiality: treat all information shared during meetings or related discussions as confidential unless explicitly authorised for disclosure.
Conflict of Interest: disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may compromise their objectivity or integrity in fulfilling their duties.
Active Participation: actively contribute to meetings, discussions, and projects.
Ethical Behaviour: conduct themselves ethically, adhering to all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Constructive Feedback: deliver feedback constructively, promoting growth and improvement, while avoiding personal attacks.
Compliance with Policies and Regulations: comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical obligations.
Attend all scheduled meetings, except for unforeseen circumstances. This may require travel within the region and/or to Melbourne.
Inform the VMC of any changes to their circumstances that may impact their involvement with the RAC – For example: moving into another region.
- The term of appointment is for two years, from 2023 to 2025.
- Time commitment and a requirement to attend all scheduled meetings.
- RACs are expected to meet three times a year. One of the three meetings will be a joint Regional Advisory Forum (RAF) for all RAC regions.
- In addition to these meetings, RACs may hold broader community consultations in their region.

Communities

Updated 15 September 2025