Leadership and Governance Program

Cultural and linguistic diversity brings great benefits to boards and committees. However, there is a large pool of talent within our multicultural community that is largely untapped.

The Office of Multicultural Interests' (OMI) Leadership and Governance Program advocates and provides opportunities for achieving equitable representation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds on boards and committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

The OMI Leadership and Governance Program delivers a board governance training and 12-month mentoring program that assists participants to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to nominate for public, private or not-for-profit sector boards and committees. 

The board governance training helps to assess participants' board readiness and learn how to pursue a board role. It includes information about boards, understanding board finances, what being a board member involves and resources that can be accessed to help with an individual's board membership journey.

The 12-month mentoring program is an important adjunct to the board governance training program. It is designed to support those who seek to realise their full potential and, importantly, to step up to an active board position, whether it be in the public, private or not-for-profit sector.

Expressions of Interest are now being sought from individuals to participate in the 2026 Leadership and Governance Program.

This training program aims to equip skilled professionals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to apply for and participate on boards and committees.

In order to be eligible to participate in the program, you must:

read and accept the terms and conditions of the program
be from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
have appropriate professional skills and qualifications for membership of boards or committees
be willing to actively seek participation on a WA Public Sector board or committee and if selected, register for OnBoardWA
be committed and available to participate in all aspects of the Leadership and Governance Program including all training workshops and the 12 month mentoring program.

Participants will be required to:

attend six full-day workshops (incorporating group assignments between sessions) from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on:

Saturday 13 June 2026
Saturday 20 June 2026
Saturday 4 July 2026
Saturday 25 July 2026
Saturday 1 August 2026
Saturday 15 August 2026

attend a half-day (8:30 am to 12:30 pm) mentoring training and orientation session on Saturday, 22 August 2026
meet with their mentor for at least one hour every month for 12 months. The dates, meeting place and times are to be decided between the mentor and mentee
actively seek to secure a board or committee position.

Expressions of Interest close on Sunday 3 May 2026.

For further information about the OMI Leadership and Governance Program, please email engage@omi.wa.gov.au or call (08) 6552 1607.

Celebrating a decade of the OMI Leadership and Governance Program

Established in 2015, the OMI Leadership and Governance Program has played an important role in fostering equitable representation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds on boards and committees across public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Since its inception, a total of 160 professionals have participated in the program, with an additional 19 set to complete the program in 2025.

A video with insights and commentary from participants, mentors and program staff was produced for the 10-year anniversary celebration.

Watch the video below to understand more about the program and its impact.

Department of Premier and Cabinet - OnBoardWA register

OnBoardWA connects you to opportunities on boards and committees. This is your chance to contribute your experience, expertise, advice and voice to help your community.

For more information about WA government boards and committees and how to register your expression of interest, visit the OnBoardWA website.

Volunteer to be a mentor

Expressions of interest are now being sought from experienced board and committee members to volunteer as mentors for the 12-month Mentoring Program.  

Mentors must:

agree to the terms and conditions of the program
make a necessary 12-month commitment to the program
attend the mentoring training and orientation session
meet allocated mentee(s) for at least one hour every month for 12 months
link mentee(s) with relevant board opportunities they may become aware of that may arise during the 12-month program
provide general feedback to OMI about the progress of their mentees in achieving the objectives of the program
provide information necessary for the evaluation of the program.

For further information about the Mentoring Program, please email engage@omi.wa.gov.au or call (08) 6552 1607. 

Cultural diversity training for the boardroom

Are you looking to attract professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds for your boards or committees but are not sure how? Does your boardroom provide an environment that empowers meaningful representation from those of a CaLD background?

DiverseWA training is available for public sector employees or authorised NGOs. Contact the Office of Multicultural Interests'  Community Engagement Team to discuss inclusion strategies and other cultural diversity training opportunities for your board members.

Advertise upcoming board opportunities with us

Is your board or committee looking for more cultural diversity and fresh ideas? Do your board members represent the wide range of stakeholders that you service?

We have a strong alumni of professionals from a CaLD backgrounds with a wealth of experience and global networks, who are ready to commit to your board or committee!

If you are looking for individuals with specific skills or would like to advertise an upcoming board opportunity through our networks, please email the Office of Multicultural Interests' Community Engagement team at engage@omi.wa.gov.au 