ABOUT THE 2026-2029 TERM FOR MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR MULTICULTURALISM
The Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism (MACM) is established under the Multiculturalism Act 2023 as a statutory body to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
MACM members reflect the diversity of the ACT community and bring a broad range of cultural perspectives, lived experience, and relevant skills and expertise. Members have knowledge, and experience of, and connection to, culturally diverse communities in the ACT and an understanding of the issues, needs, and aspirations of those communities.
In accordance with the Act, MACM’s function is to provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to multiculturalism and the experiences of culturally diverse people in the ACT. This includes identifying emerging issues, opportunities and challenges, and providing informed advice to support the development of policies, programs and services that promote inclusion, participation, and equity.
MACM also engages with multicultural communities to ensure their perspectives are understood and reflected in advice to government and supports the sharing of information about its work with the broader community.
MACM operates as an advisory body and does not exercise decision-making power or functions of government. Its role it to provide independent, community-informed advice to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs to inform government policy and priorities.
The Health and Community Services Directorate (HSCD), through Multicultural ACT, provides administrative and secretariat support to enable MACM to perform its functions.
MACM consists of 11 members, including:
- Chair
- Deputy Chair
- Nine members
Members are appointed by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, following a merit-based selection process and on recommendations from an independent assessment panel.
Appointments are made on merit, while ensuring that MACM reflects the diversity of the ACT community, including cultural, faith, language, gender, age, disability, professional skills, and lived experience.
MACM members are entitled to remuneration as determined by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal for Part-time Public Office Holders. This includes sitting fees for meetings, in line with the current determination as at August 2025.
ACT public servants are not eligible for remuneration when serving in these roles, consistent with ACT Government Governance arrangements.
ABOUT THE MACM RECRUITMENT (2026 -2029)
This recruitment round aims to appoint the next MACM for the 2026-29 term. There are 11 vacancies available including for the role of Chair and Deputy Chair, for the next MACM term 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2029.
The process aims to ensure a fair and inclusive merit-based selection, strengthen the skills and experience across MACM, and ensure representation reflects the diversity of multicultural communities in the ACT.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Applicants should have a strong understanding of multicultural communities in the ACT and be actively connected to community. This includes understanding the interests, concerns and challenges experienced by people from a multicultural background.
Applicants may bring lived experience, professional expertise, or both. Relevant experience may include working with migrant and refugee communities, understanding settlement and integration challenges, engaging with cultural, faith and language diversity, addressing racism and discrimination, and improving access to services such as health, education, and employment.
Applications should have knowledge or experience in areas such as multicultural policy, community engagement, working with government or advisory bodies, community leadership and advocacy and service delivery in multicultural settings.
Applicants must show that they understand the role of MACM and have the time and skills to take part in its work. This includes experience contributing to policy advice or community-informed decision-making, engaging with diverse communities, and gathering community views.
Applicants must also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, and willingness to actively participate in Council activities, including attendance at Council meetings and community consultations led by the Council.
INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT PANEL
All applications will be assessed by an independent assessment panel. This panel will assess applications against the selection criteria, conduct interviews, and provide recommendations to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, who is responsible for appointing members to MACM in line with the Multiculturalism Act 2023.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All information provided in this form will be treated as confidential. In compliance with the Information Privacy Act 2014 (the Act) personal information on this form may be stored in HCSD records database and may also be used for statistical research, information provision and evaluation of services. Your personal information may be disclosed to other agencies and third parties for purposes related to this application. Except in these circumstances, personal or commercial information will only be disclosed to third parties with your consent unless otherwise required or authorised by law.
ACCESSIBILITY
- The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events, and venues, accessible to as many people as possible.
- If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format – such as large print or audio – please telephone 13 22 81
- If English is not your first language and you require translating and interpreting services, please telephone 131 450
- If you are deaf or hearing impaired and require the TTY typewriter service – please telephone (02) 6205 0888.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted through this application form.
OTHER INFORMATION
You will receive confirmation once your application is submitted.
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, and applications cannot be changed after submission.
The ACT government, via HCSD will deliver information sessions on the recruitment process to support applicants understand the role and requirements of MACM.
3 sessions (1 in person and 2 online) will be held during April and May 2026 as detailed below:
- In person sessions: at Ground Floor, 220 London Circuit, Canberra City
- Wednesday 6 May 2026 (5:30pm to 6:30pm) (RSVP closes 5 May 2026)
- Online sessions via TEAMS:
- Wednesday 29 April 2026 (12:30pm to 1:30pm) (RSVP closes 28 April 2026)
- Wednesday 13 May 2026 (5:30pm to 6:30pm) (RSVP closes 12 May 2026)
To register your attendance at an information session RSVP via ACTMAC@act.gov.au. Meeting details will be emailed to you once registration is confirmed. Please RSVP early as registrations to attend an information session will close 1 day prior to each session.
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