On this page

The City of Boroondara community is culturally and linguistically diverse, and we are committed to celebrating and supporting our multiculturalism.

In Boroondara:

  • 32% of residents were born overseas
  • 56% of residents have at least one parent who was born overseas
  • 28.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home.

For more data on ancestry in Boroondara, visit the Informed Decisions website.

Council information in your language 

We have language support services and information translated into 6 languages.

If you would like to access information in languages other than English, we offer a free telephone interpreter service in a number of languages. We can provide information in simplified and traditional Chinese, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and Arabic via the links below.

For other languages please contact a free interpreting service on (03) 9007 2802.

National Translation and Interpreting Service

You can also use the National Translation and Interpreting Service. This is a free service that will allow you to call us and use an interpreter. You can find out more about this service on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Call 13 14 50 to access the National Translation and Interpreting Service, and then ask for Boroondara Council on (03) 9278 4444.

Programs and support services 

If you’ve just moved to Australia, there are a range of settlement services and programs available in Boroondara and the eastern region.

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.

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.

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.

Settlement support services

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. 

Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

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.

Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to find out more about the program and if you are eligible. 

Australian Migrant Education Service (AMES) 

Access English language courses, training and recruitment services through AMES. Visit the AMES website to find out more. 

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. 

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.

Celebrate multiculturalism 

We host community activities and projects to celebrate our multiculturalism. 

This includes Harmony Week. You can also see all our Community-run events on our Events page.

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.

Diversity statistics

 To learn about the key diversity indicators in Boroondara, visit our Community profile page on the idcommunity website

Boroondara Multicultural Action Plan 2019–23 

The Boroondara Multicultural Action Plan (MAP) 2019–23 is our overarching commitment to supporting, promoting and celebrating our multiculturalism.

The MAP gives us a framework for creating a welcoming community so that everyone can participate fully in community life and feel a sense of connection and belonging.

More information 

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.


Was this page helpful?