Multicultural Policy and Action Plan
'Our story, our future' is the Queensland Government's Multicultural Policy promoting an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland.
The Multicultural Policy focuses the Queensland Government's commitment for people from culturally diverse backgrounds and for Queensland as a whole across three priorities:
- achieving culturally responsive government
- supporting inclusive, harmonious and united communities
- improving economic opportunities.
By focusing on these priorities, the Queensland Government will support equality of opportunity for all Queenslanders and harness the remarkable benefits cultural diversity offers.
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs Queensland is required to release a Multicultural Action Plan as required by Sections 20 and 21 of the Multicultural Recognition Act 2016.
Released in 2024, the fourth Queensland Multicultural Action Plan presents the actions the Queensland Government will take from 2024-25 to 2026-27 to achieve the multicultural policy priorities and ensure government services are fully accessible to people who have difficulty communicating in English. The Action Plan sets out a vision for the Queensland Government to be a leader in cultural diversity and inclusion by 2032, by focusing on delivering culturally responsive services, driving diversity and inclusion across the public sector, strengthening our economy and promoting social cohesion.
Public reporting on action plan
The Multicultural Recognition Act 2016 requires all government agencies to report publicly on their actions in the plan and provide a summary of their progress every year. This allows the community to track how the government is achieving positive change, and provides a picture of where we need to make changes to investment or services.
Links to government agencies' 2022–23 reports on the second Multicultural Action Plan 2022-23 to 2023-24 are listed below.
2022–23 agency reports
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
- Department of Education
- Department of Energy and Public Works
- Department of Environment and Science
- Department of Housing
- Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
- Department of Resources
- Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
- Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport
- Department of Transport and Main Roads
- Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts
- Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training
- Electoral Commission of Queensland
- Legal Aid Queensland
- Public Sector Commission
- Queensland Corrective Services
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
- Queensland Health
- Queensland Human Rights Commission
- Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Queensland Police Service
- Queensland Treasury
- Residential Tenancies Authority
- TAFE Queensland
- Trade and Investment Queensland
Progress under previous Action Plans
- The first Multicultural Action Plan spanned 2016–17 to 2018–19.
- The First Progress Report on the Queensland Multicultural Policy was tabled in Parliament in August 2019. It presents key outcomes achieved across Government through actions in the first Multicultural Action Plan, and discusses future opportunities for action.
- The second Multicultural Action Plan , which spanned 2019–20 to 2021–22, built on outcomes achieved under the first Multicultural Action Plan. Read about the broad actions and related sub-actions in the second Multicultural Action Plan.
- The Second Progress Report on the Queensland Multicultural Policy which focuses on outcomes achieved under the second Multicultural Action Plan, was tabled in Parliament in September 2023.
- The third Queensland Multicultural Action Plan (PDF, 3.4 MB) which spanned 2022–23 to 2023–24 builds on outcomes achieved under the first and second Multicultural Action Plans. This plan focused on six actions to build the economy and community, provide better access to interpreters, and improve cultural diversity data to enhance service delivery.
Resources to support the Queensland Multicultural Policy
Find out how you can help build an inclusive workplace culture that respects and values the contributions of people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Diversity on Boards
The Queensland Government is committed to increasing diversity of all forms on Queensland Government boards. A diversity of representation on Queensland Government boards means that Queensland benefits from the wealth of experience, knowledge and innovative ideas of all Queenslanders.
The Diversity and Inclusion on Boards toolkit and Diversity on Boards Action Plan Template have been designed to provide useful information, practical strategies and tools to assist in increasing participation and representation of all forms of diversity.
Potential candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to join the Queensland Register of Nominees to be considered for future Queensland Government board and committee positions.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence