Multicultural Health

The Multicultural Health Navigator Service provides tailored bilingual support to help people access health services and social support. The service is available to Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Korean and Nepali speakers with limited English proficiency.   

Bilingual health navigators work closely with people to understand their needs, provide one-on-one support and information about available services. Clients are connected to a wide range of supports, including services for physical and mental health, financial counselling, housing, employment, gambling harm and loneliness.  

The service is delivered by Advance Diversity Service in partnership with Stepwise Community Services.

412
Number of referrals received
392
Number of clients supported
3208
Number of service contacts
918
Number of outgoing referrals
81.4
of clients reported they would not have sought support elsewhere if the service had not been available
100
of surveyed clients reported increased confidence in navigating the Australian health system

The Multicultural Health Navigator Service continued to improve access to health and social support for people from Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese and Nepalese speaking communities who face barriers navigating Australia’s health and social systems.  
 
The service achieved strong client outcomes, with all surveyed clients reporting increased confidence in navigating health and social services and a positive experience of support.  

Community engagement remained a key focus, with navigators participating in community forums, health promotion activities and interagency networks to improve awareness of available support. This is reflected in a high and growing number of self-referrals, demonstrating strong community trust in the service.  

Health navigators supported clients to access a broad range of services, including primary care, Local Health District (LHD) services, cancer screening, mental health support, housing support, financial counselling, domestic and family violence services, and other community programs.  

“

I was referred by Jewish House to speak with the Mandarin Health Navigator. I am a 63 year old woman originally from Malaysia. At the end of March 2025, I escaped a DV situation and spent several months moving between women’s refugees and crisis accommodation. My Health Navigator referred me to a range of community support services, and through these organizations, I was able to access food assistance, furniture, and grocery vouchers, helping to reduce the financial stress I was in and also helped me settle into independent living. I was assisted with Housing, Financial Assistance, Leaving Violence Programs, Legal Support, Centrelink Payments and Advocacy. The Health Navigator is truly my saviour! Honest to God, without her, I would have been completely lost as I knew nothing about the services available. I want to add that the Health Navigator helped me overcome significant barriers due to my language as I speak very little English. I have a much better understanding now of Australia's social, legal, and service systems I am very grateful for all the assistance I received. I’m so-so grateful words can’t express how thankful I am.

Mandarin speaker
“

After the birth of my baby, I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety. I felt very overwhelmed and lonely. The birth of my baby was very traumatic and I struggled with everyday life. Health Navigator helped me connect with counselling services such as PANDA, playgroups, childcare support and Centrelink services. Over the past year, I have felt much better and feel more confident to return to work. I have re-engaged with the health navigator for additional support services with Workskill Australia to return to work. As a result, I now have a stronger support network, my participation with the community has increased and I feel more confident managing my mental health. I am very grateful for the support the Health Navigator has provided me.

Nepali speaker
“

I am a single mum with two children who has been clinically diagnosed with anxiety/depression and experienced DV. I went to Advance Diversity Services for social support and public housing enquiries. I met with the Multicultural Health Navigator who helped me with so much more than what I had expected. I am very grateful for their assistance and to all the services I was connected to.

Mandarin speaker
“

I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from the Multicultural Health Navigator. After I fell and fractured my leg, I was worried about my health, but even more concerned about the cost of treatment and medication. I have Type 2 diabetes and struggle with mental health issues, and it felt overwhelming to manage everything at once. The Health Navigator not only helped me get the medical care I needed but also connected me with local resources. Through these efforts, I received assistance from the Kogarah Storehouse for groceries and medication, and the Salvation Army provided financial support for my diabetes medication and medical boot. Thanks to the Health Navigator and the community support, I’m recovering well, managing my health, and looking forward to returning to my studies. I truly feel supported, and I’m so thankful for the help I’ve received.

Nepalese speaker

Supporting communities impacted by the Gaza conflict

The Wellness and Resilience Program is delivered through four Sydney Primary Health Networks (CESPHN, SWSPHN, WSPHN, SNHN) to address community distress linked to the Gaza conflict. It utilises a targeted small-grants model to commission local organisations to deliver culturally responsive mental health and wellbeing support. The program focuses on strengthening social connection, reducing isolation and stigma, and improving mental health literacy and help seeking behaviours for Muslim, Palestinian, and Jewish communities. 

Activities emphasise trauma-informed care and capacity building across the regions, enabling local providers to delivery timely, culturally safe and sustainable support to diverse, high-risk populations. 

Across the funded providers, the programs have demonstrated strong reach, engagement and early outcomes. Participation in the project has exceeded expectations with over 600 individuals engaged in Gaza Association Activities and more than 300 clients supported through Advance Diversity Services, alongside high attendance at community events and workshops. Delivery outputs have also surpassed targets, including wellness workshops and culturally responsive activities that have strengthened trust, connection, and ongoing engagement with priority populations. 

Reported outcomes show measurable improvements in mental health and wellbeing with up to 82.5% of participants demonstrating positive change and consistently lower high rates of distress following activities. Feedback highlights the program’s effectiveness in creating culturally safe spaces, reinforcing social connection and supporting communities experiencing sustained distress while also building local service capability and responsiveness. 

Self-Actualize co-designed and delivered a culturally grounded community initiative, resulting in the publication of Khitamahu Misk, a Palestinian cookbook developed in partnership with 12 Palestinian women. The cookbook was formally launched in May, attended by local and federal members for parliament. The event helped promote the cookbook and strengthened cross-sector engagement and celebrated cultural resilience. 

Educaid has achieved strong engagement and outcomes with 692 participants engaging in healing circles and educational workshops. Notably, 90% of participants reported reduced distress and social isolation supported by trauma-informed activities that fostered safe connection and improved mental health literacy.  

Jewish Care has demonstrated strong reach and impact, reaching over 370 clients and more than 1,900 individuals engaged in social connection activities. Early outcome data indicates improved wellbeing among participants alongside strengthened community partnerships and service responsiveness. 

600
participants in activities and 550+ in community events - Gaza Association.
300
clients and 150+ participants in community events - Advance Diversity Service.
1,900
engaged in social connection activities and 370+ clients supported - Jewish Care.
690
participants engaged in activities - Educaid.
100
participants engaged in activities, 2 co-design sessions delivered - Self-Actualize.
“

Good morning, Doctor. The meeting was excellent; the atmosphere was positive, and everyone was clearly happy and joyful. Feeling homesick is very difficult, but these meetings help us a lot to overcome that feeling.

Testimonial from consumer attending an Advance Diversity Service Wellbeing activity.
“

I sincerely appreciate everything you’ve done for our family during this very tough period. YTour support, care, and patience have meant a great deal to us during this very difficult time. Your help has significantly eased our situation and helped the children as we work to restore stability and normalcy. The compassion and professionalism you’ve shown truly highlight the important role your organisation plays in the community

Testimonial from consumer engaged with Jewish Care