Australia is a multicultural society. Almost half of our current population was either born overseas or has at least one parent born overseas. We have flourished in part thanks to our multicultural and multifaith diversity, underpinned by our inclusive national identity and shared Australian values. We do not take our unity and prosperity for granted. Communities and community organisations play a critical role in supporting and building Australia's social cohesion and keeping communities strong, cohesive and prosperous.
The objective of Fostering Integration Grants is to facilitate participation, integration and social cohesion of both newly arrived migrants and multicultural communities in Australia by:
- encouraging the social and economic participation of migrants by developing skills and cultural competencies to integrate into Australian social, economic and civic life, and build community resilience
- promoting and encouraging the uptake of Australian values and liberal democracy and amplifying the value of Australian citizenship
- promoting a greater understanding and acceptance of Australia’s inclusive national identity and multicultural and multi-faith diversity
- addressing issues within Australian communities that show potential for, or early signs of, low social integration.
The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is to contribute to an integrated and cohesive multicultural Australia where migrants:
- actively participate in Australian society through work, school, sport or other community activities
- embrace Australian values and abide by Australian laws
- have capacity to communicate in English, the national language of Australia
- are gainfully employed
- are resilient in times of crisis
- have social networks that cross ethnic and religious groups
- are welcomed and supported by the broader Australian community.
Activities can include all Australian citizens and residents who contribute to maintaining social cohesion and defining our national identity.
To be eligible you must be a not-for-profit organisation, which is legally registered in Australia and be one of the following entity types:
- Company
- Indigenous Corporation
- Cooperative
- Incorporated Association.
