Multicultural policies and services program

The Multicultural NSW Act 2000 establishes Multicultural NSW as the agency leading implementation of the multicultural principles. 

The multicultural principles are: 

a)    all individuals in New South Wales, irrespective of their linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds, should demonstrate a unified commitment to Australia, its interests and its future 

b)    all individuals in New South Wales should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a democratic framework 

c)    the people of New South Wales are people of different linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds who, either individually or in community with other members of their respective groups, are free to profess, practise and maintain their own linguistic, religious and ancestral heritage 

d)    all individuals and institutions should respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the common language 

e)    all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to:

i)    contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate, and 

ii)    make use of, and participate in, relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales 

f)    all institutions of New South Wales should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of New South Wales as a valuable resource and promote this resource to maximise the development of the State.

Through the Multicultural Policies and Services Framework (MPSP), Multicultural NSW requires key agencies such as DCS to implement a Multicultural Plan and report on progress through its annual report.