Concerns Over Equity and Implementation
SydWest Multicultural Services has welcomed targeted investments in the Federal Budget but cautions that equity gaps persist, particularly affecting diverse communities. The announcement was made on 13th May.
The organisation praised the $308.6 million allocated over five years to improve responses to domestic, family, and sexual violence. SydWest CEO Elfa Moraitakis stated, "This investment recognises the urgency and scale of the issue, and the importance of supporting women and children leaving unsafe relationships."
Despite the positive reception of over $80 million for migrant skills recognition, SydWest expressed concerns over a 3.6 per cent reduction in multicultural affairs spending, which will decline to $301.1 million. The organisation believes this does not reflect migrants' contributions to Australia's economy.
SydWest appreciates the Government’s commitment to addressing workforce shortages through migrant skills funding. However, it stresses the importance of equitable distribution of resources across various sectors.
Challenges in Aged Care and NDIS
Aged care remains a critical area of concern. Although $3.7 billion has been budgeted for support, SydWest notes that over 200,000 older Australians are waiting for packages or assessments, with significant barriers for multicultural communities. "For multicultural communities, longstanding barriers such as language and system complexity make this uncertainty even more acute," Moraitakis said.
SydWest also highlighted challenges in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms. While supporting the sustainability goals, the organisation warns that tighter access without operational alternatives could lead to service gaps, especially for multicultural communities.
Systemic barriers have been identified not just in aged care and disability services, but also in women's safety programmes. These barriers predominantly affect marginalised communities, necessitating comprehensive strategies for inclusion.
Elfa Moraitakis concluded that rising demand and tightening systems across aged care, disability, migration, and women’s safety pose systemic barriers. "If we are serious about building a fair and inclusive Australia, our systems must work for everyone, not just those best placed to access them," she said.
Last updated: 14 May 2026, 12:15 pm
