Melbourne, with an international reputation as one of the world's truly successful multicultural cities, is home to people from over 200 countries. The city is also known as a hub for food and dining and is widely considered the arts and cultural capital of Australia.

The cultural communities have brought and continue to bring rich traditions and perspectives to modern day Melbourne. The communities who developed these areas influenced our culinary repertoire, design style and approach to community building at a social, cultural, environmental and economic level. In this context, the cultural precincts of Chinatown, Lonsdale Greek Precinct and Lygon Street are an embodiment of our cosmopolitan lifestyle.

As world class destinations in their own right they provide their local communities, the broader city community and visitors with special places to meet and be together – eating, drinking, shopping and socialising – on shady tree-lined streets, in busy colourful laneways, in stylish cafes,
restaurants, bars and specialty shops.

They are areas of Melbourne that will go on forever, responding to contemporary paradigms and aspirations whilst maintaining strong links with a rich, cultural past. The cultural precincts give physical expression to the past and the contemporary city living they have shaped.*

Other culturally and linguistically diverse locales include:  Asian precincts in Glen Waverley, Richmond, Box Hill, Footscray and Springvale; the Jewish precinct in Carlisle St, St Kilda; the Greek precinct in Oakleigh; Turkish precinct in Broadmeadows; Arabic precinct in Sydney Road, Coburg; and many regional centres such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton and LaTrobe Valley that have been strongly influenced by migration.

read more about Melbourne's three main cultural precincts.

• Little Bourke Street: A colourful, busy, exotic tradition
• Lonsdale Street: Melbourne's Hellenism
• Lygon Street: A celebration of Melbourne's Italian heritage

*Source: A Strategic Framework for Melbourne's Cultural Precincts 2007

IMPORTANT
In accordance with commitments outlined in the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Plan for a Multicultural Victoria, a number of policy and program functions formerly located within the VMC have been transferred into the new Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Programs outlined on this page are now administered by OMAC.

For more information about OMAC visit the Department of Premier and Cabinet website or call 9651 1101.