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If you’ve just moved to Australia, there are a range of support services and programs available in Boroondara and the eastern region.
Multicultural support services
Multicultural Health Connect
The Multicultural Health Connect helpline offers health information and advice in your language.
Visit the Multicultural Health Connect website or call 1800 186 815 to find out more.
Multilingual information access (MiAccess) – National Disability Insurance Scheme
MiAccess is a website developed by Cultural Perspectives that brings together available translated information relevant to people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, their carers, and communities. MiAccess will support access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people whose first language is not English.
You can access NDIS information in your language on the MiAccess website.
The Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for Hawthorn is at 40 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. You can email them at [email protected] or call them on 1800 242 696.
You can also access Early Childhood Disability Support, which provides for children aged 0 to 6 years who have a developmental delay or disability, and their family or carers. For more information, you can visit the Link Health and Community website or call (03) 9563 2893.
Migrant Information Centre
The Migrant Information Centre can:
- help you find a job or housing
- give you migration advice
- connect you with other support services.
Visit the Migrant Information Centre website to find out more.
Multicultural programs
Adult Migrant English Program
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service for people with low English levels who are new to Australia. The program can help you improve your English language skills and to settle in Australia.
To find out more about the program and if you are eligible, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Australian Migrant Education Service
Access English language courses, training and recruitment services through Australian Migrant Education Service (AMES). To find out more, visit the AMES website.
English conversation clubs
Join these free group sessions at our libraries and improve your conversational English.
These are run by volunteers at the:
- Ashburton Library
- Kew Library.
You can see the addresses and hours of these library locations on our Contact the Library page.
You can see upcoming English conversation club meetings on our Events page.
Study Melbourne
Study Melbourne supports international students to access services and information to make your time as a student in Melbourne the best possible experience. Visit the Study Melbourne website to find out more.
Bilingual library activities for kids
We have a:
- bilingual story time session in Mandarin and English for children aged 0 to 5 years
- Chinese language club for kids up to 12 years old.
Visit our Children's storytimes and activities page to find out more.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and meet new people.
Visit our Volunteering page to explore hundreds of volunteer opportunities that suit your interests, skills, and availability.
Boroondara cultural champions volunteer program
Our cultural champions volunteer program includes volunteers from multicultural backgrounds who help us engage with the community. If you want to use your connections within your multicultural or faith community to be a cultural champion, you can email [email protected] or call us on (03) 9278 4938.
Bilingual services and community groups
Bilingual services and community groups provide culturally specific activities or specialist services in Boroondara and across the eastern region.
Visit our Bilingual services and community groups page to find out more.
The Boroondara Interfaith Network
The Boroondara Interfaith Network provides an opportunity to connect with people from different religions, faiths, and traditions in the community. It hosts activities to create awareness and encourage conversation through building relationships that nurture harmony and deepen understanding and respect.
For more details, email [email protected] or call us on (03) 9278 4938.
You can see upcoming Interfaith Network events on our Events page.
Community reporting tool
The Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission has developed a community reporting tool. You can use this tool to report racism, sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind, or if you have any human rights issues or concerns.
Making a report is not the same as lodging a complaint. Reports made by the community reporting tool are sent securely and confidentially to the Commission. When you make a report, you can ask the Commission to contact you if you want more information about your rights or how you can make a complaint.
Visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website to find out more.
Or you can call the Commission for confidential advice on 1300 292 153.