Role and Function

Western Australia is the most culturally diverse State in Australia. Over half a million people, or more than a quarter of the population of Western Australia (27%) were born overseas. People from more than 200 countries live, work and study in Western Australia, speaking as many as 270 languages and identifying with more than 100 religious faiths.

The Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) co-ordinates the development of State Government policies and programs to promote multiculturalism and improve services to better meet the needs of Western Australians from diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds:

• Working with Commonwealth, State and Local Government to influence policy and services to address the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds.
• Creating a bridge between CaLD communities and service delivery agencies by:
• providing information;
• facilitating opportunities for consultation between communities and service delivery agencies;
• brokering partnerships between CaLD communities and Government and Non-Government Agencies to address issues affecting communities; and
• educating the community about racism, diversity and mutual respect.
• Engaging the community through community education and funding opportunities to build community capacity.
• Implements the WA Citizenship Strategy which promotes active citizenship and full and equal participation of all Western Australians in all aspects of society.

OMI is not responsible for Citizenship (naturalisation), visa or immigration matters. For information about Immigration or becoming an Australian Citizen, please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on telephone 13 18 81 or visit http://www.diac.gov.au.

• Community Grants Program
  The Community Grants Program (CGP) aims to assist and encourage the involvement of all Western Australians in projects and events that promote the participation and inclusion of people from diverse linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds in the community.
  To apply for funding you must be a not for-profit, incorporated community based organisation or group that is based in Western Australia.
  Grants can be applied for under the following categories:
  • Cultural Events, Celebrations & Festivals
  • individual community groups up to $3,000
  • community wide cross-cultural festivals up to $5,000
  • Multicultural Projects
  • funding up to a maximum of $10,000

  For copies of Guidelines and Application Form Click here.
  For enquiries please contact the Grants Officer on telephone 9217 1600 or Fax 9321 5205.

• Ethnic Youth Advisory Group
  The Ethnic Youth Advisory Group (EYAG) is a committee of young people from different ethnic backgrounds. EYAG was established in late 2004 to discuss existing and emerging issues related to ethnic young people in Western Australia, and to advise the Government on how to address and respond to these issues.
  EYAG also acts as an advisory and consultative body to other State Government agencies and non-government organisations.
  EYAG monthly meetings are held at the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) and coordinated by an OMI staff member. For more information about EYAG please contact OMI on 9217 1600.

• Harmony Week
  Harmony Week, established in 2003, is designed to promote Multiculturalism and enable Western Australians to take a stand against racism and discrimination in all its forms.
  OMI can assist your organisation to promote multiculturalism and anti-racism by providing you with ideas, promotional materials and potential partners for a Harmony Week project or event.
  We also provide small grants for community groups to organise Harmony Week events across the State.
  For more information, contact us on (08) 9217 1600.

• Language Services
  It is Western Australian Government policy that public sector agencies should provide access to qualified interpreters and translators, when dealing with clients who are not able to communicate effectively in spoken or written English.
  The Office of Multicultural Interests can provide:

  • information about the use of interpreters
  • an Interpreter Card that shows which language is needed and includes the phone number for the Translating and Interpreting Service.
  To obtain an Interpreter Card showing your language, contact us on (08) 9217 1600.

• Publications and WA Diversity Statistics
  A number of publications, such as the Directory of Services for New Arrivals in Western Australia, and statistics on Western Australia's cultural diversity are available from our Website. Please Click here to view.

Have you experienced racial abuse?
Racial harassment and discrimination on the basis of race or religious conviction are illegal in Western Australia.

If you have been harassed or experienced discrimination on the basis of your colour, ethnicity, national origin or religious convictions please contact the following State Government organisations:

• WA Police on telephone 131 444 (24 hours) or the State Security Investigation Group on telephone 9370 7394 (business hours), and/or   
• Equal Opportunity Commission on telephone 9216 3900.