Yarra is a vibrant, culturally diverse community, with 39% of its residents born overseas.
Multiculturalism contributes to the unique character of Yarra and also plays a vital role in the growth and development of tourism. We are committed to celebrating diversity in the community and to providing support to newly arrived residents.
Who lives here?
According to the 2016 Census, 19% of Yarra residents were born in a non-English speaking country, and 22% speak a language other than English at home.
Top 10 Birthplaces of residents (overseas born)
- United Kingdom
- New Zealand
- Vietnam
- China
- Greece
- Italy
- United States of America
- Malaysia
- India
- Ireland
Top 10 languages (other than English) spoken at home in Yarra
- Vietnamese
- Greek
- Mandarin
- Italian
- Cantonese
- Spanish
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Somali
Multicultural Partnerships Plan 2019-2023
The Multicultural Partnerships Plan aims to make Yarra a place where all people feel welcome and can participate in community life regardless of their race, culture, religion or language.
Yarra Multicultural Advisory Group
The Multicultural Advisory Group's role is to help us to build relationships and communication with multicultural communities in Yarra.
Language Services
If you speak a language other than English, Council has a Multilingual Telephone Line which helps you to communicate with us in your preferred language through an interpreter.
You can telephone Yarra City Council by calling the following phone numbers in your language:
- Arabic 03 9280 7930
- Cantonese 03 9280 1932
- Greek 03 9280 1934
- Italian 03 9280 1931
- Macedonian 03 9280 1936
- Mandarin 03 9280 1937
- Spanish 03 9280 1935
- Turkish 03 9280 1938
- Vietnamese 03 9280 1939
- Other languages 03 9280 1940
Victorian Interpreter Card and Interpreter Symbol
The Victorian Interpreter Card and Interpreter Symbol is used to help anyone with low English proficiency to use language services and help us book interpreters.
When you see the interpreter symbol sign it means that language assistance is available. Show your interpreter card to our staff to request an interpreter.
Download and print the Victorian Interpreter Card.
We welcome refugees and asylum seekers
The City of Yarra has been a Refugee Welcome Zone since 2002.
A Refugee Welcome Zone is a local government area that has made a commitment to welcome refugees into the community, uphold the human rights of refugees, show compassion and enhance cultural and religious diversity in the community.
We value and are committed to promoting cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, community harmony and respect for all.
For further information go to Refugee Welcome Zones.
If you would like to donate time, money or material aid, please see this list for services helping people seeking asylum.
Refugee week
Refugee Week is Australia's annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
We acknowledge Refugee Week each year with an event which aims to highlight the contributions refugees have made to this country, while raising awareness to these issues.
Yarra Multicultural Services Network
The Yarra Multicultural Services Network (YMSN) is a network of agencies in Yarra who provide services for refugees, asylum seekers and newly arrived migrants. YMSN meets bi-monthly and aims to address barriers for multicultural communities which can limit participation in community life.
Anti-racism
Yarra City Council is proud to have joined forces with some of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and non-government organisations to support the “Racism. It stops with me” campaign.
We Stand Together Project
The We Stand Together project aims to empower people experiencing racial and religious abuse and attacks in the community.
The project has produced a wallet-sized card for residents providing them with information if they are a target or a bystander to racial or religious vilification, encouraging them to report to police or anonymously via crimestoppers.
The card also provides advice on what to do in the case of being a bystander or target of abuse.
This project is a collaboration between Yarra City Council, Carringbush, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Cohealth, Fitzroy Legal Service, New Hope – Micare, Victoria Police and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Download cards in a range of languages
A3 Posters to print and share:
Speaking your languages packs
|
Arabic |
Arabic language information pack |
| Chinese | Chinese language information pack |
|
Dinka |
Dinka language information pack |
|
Greek |
Greek language information pack |
|
Italian |
Italian language information pack |
|
Macedonian |
Macedonian language information pack |
|
Spanish |
Spanish language information pack |
| Turkish | Turkish language information pack |
|
Vietnamese |
Vietnamese language information pack |
| English | English language information pack |
