Building a Stronger Bicultural Workforce

Good health promotion starts with trust. Bicultural workers are often the trusted link between multicultural communities and health services, helping people access information, navigate services and engage with prevention initiatives in culturally safe and meaningful ways.

They also strengthen the health system itself. Bicultural workers educate services, programs and staff about the barriers faced by their communities. They provide cultural advice, advocacy and cultural bridging, helping organisations design services and health promotion activities that are more accessible, responsive and trusted.

To support this work, cohealth established the Victorian Bicultural Workers Network (VBCWN), creating opportunities for bicultural workers across Victoria to connect, learn and support one another through professional development, reflective practice, supervision and peer networking.

During 2025–26, the VBCWN delivered 16 workforce development activities, attracting 504 attendances. Topics included multicultural mental health, community engagement and co-design, advocacy, artificial intelligence and group facilitation. The network has now grown to 609 members.

Evaluation shows the network is strengthening workforce capability, with members reporting increased confidence, stronger professional connections and greater awareness of health services and referral pathways.

Investing in the bicultural workforce is an investment in prevention. A skilled and connected workforce helps ensure health promotion is culturally safe, trusted and accessible for Victoria’s diverse communities.

Involving bicultural workers from the beginning strengthens community engagement, co-design, cultural safety and health equity.