​​​​​​​​On Friday 12 September 2025, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, chaired the Ministerial Forum on Multicultural Affairs. The forum brought together Australia’s state and territory Ministers in Sydney, demonstrating a commitment to federal-state cooperation to positively progress Australia’s modern multicultural agenda.

In her opening address, Minister Aly noted the clear commitment to strengthening multiculturalism with the appointment as a standalone Cabinet Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the establishment of the Office for Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Home Affairs. She invited participants to reimagine multiculturalism both as a concept and approach, observing that much of multiculturalism is now embedded in mainstream Australia. She called for a collaborative approach to remove barriers to enable full economic participation by migrants, including skills recognition. Minister Aly acknowledged the work being undertaken nationally to progress a positive multicultural agenda and the Australian Government’s commitment to federal-state cooperation.

All Ministers categorically condemned the recent rallies that sought to divide and undermine Australia’s social cohesion. They were united in the view that all Australians, no matter their heritage, have a right to feel safe and welcome in our society. Racism has no place in Australia and all Ministers committed to work together to stand against those with an agenda to divide and intimidate. No Australian needs to justify their belonging within this country.

Ministers provided updates on priority activities and raised key issues including skills recognition and professional registration, migrant safety, the design and implementation of grants programs and the review of the Status Resolution Support Services program as particular areas of interest. States and Territories also highlighted actions to strengthen multicultural frameworks to elevate diversity and multiculturalism. Ministers discussed the importance of high quality language services, and noted the progress made on the development of the NAATI Language Services Provider (LSP) Endorsement Model.

Minister Aly led a round table discussion on barriers to economic participation and better settlement outcomes for migrants.

It was agreed that more comprehensive research is needed on the barriers that exist across industries, and there was agreement to identify how Federal and State and Territory governments could continue to work together to enhance economic participation.​