Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
Name	Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
Abbreviation	FECCA
Formation	1979
Type	Peak national body
Headquarters	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Region served	Australia
Leader title	Chair

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia is a peak national umbrella body representing multicultural and migrant community organisations across Australia. It acts as a bridge between culturally and linguistically diverse communities and federal institutions, liaising with ministers, parliamentary committees, and statutory agencies. The organisation engages with community leaders, advisory bodies, and civil society networks to influence national policy relating to migration, settlement, human rights, and social inclusion.

History

The organisation emerged during an era shaped by the aftermath of the White Australia policy and the expansion of post‑war migration linked to the Migration Act 1958 and subsequent policy shifts under the Holt Ministry and the Whitlam Government. Its founding in 1979 coincided with broader reform movements including the establishment of the Special Broadcasting Service and the growth of ethnic media such as SBS Television and community radio networks. Over successive decades the body engaged with inquiries such as the Australian Human Rights Commission reviews, submissions to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consultations related to multiculturalism advanced during the Howard Government and the Rudd Government.

Structure and Membership

FECCA operates as a federated council model connecting state and territory peak bodies like the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW and the Victorian Multicultural Commission, alongside national member organisations representing refugee, migrant and ethnic communities. Its governance typically includes a national council, an elected executive chaired by a national chairperson, and working groups that interact with agencies such as the Department of Home Affairs (Australia) and the Australian Human Rights Commission. Members include ethnic community councils, refugee advocacy groups, settlement service providers such as Multicultural Australia, and charitable organisations linked to faith-based groups and diaspora networks from regions including the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East.

Functions and Activities

The organisation provides national representation, policy advice, research dissemination, and capacity building. It prepares submissions to bodies including the Parliament of Australia, appears before parliamentary inquiries and engages with commissions such as the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Productivity Commission. Activities encompass convening national forums, producing research reports, facilitating dialogues with ministers, and collaborating with universities like the Australian National University and Monash University on multicultural research.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

FECCA advocates on citizenship, anti‑discrimination, settlement services and electoral participation. It has participated in debates linked to the Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Act 2007 and engaged in consultations on the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and proposed changes to anti‑racism frameworks. The organisation has lobbied government bodies such as the Australian Electoral Commission, intervened in inquiries by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, and worked with international institutions including the United Nations Human Rights Council to advance multicultural rights and protections for asylum seekers and refugees processed under programs related to the UNHCR.

Programs and Services

Programs have included leadership training for ethnic community leaders, research grants, cultural competency workshops for service providers, and resource development to support humanitarian entrants and skilled migrants. FECCA has partnered with peak settlement services, legal aid organisations like the Australian Capital Territory Legal Aid Commission, and health bodies including the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to improve access for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. It organises national conferences that convene representatives from state multicultural commissions, migrant resource centres, and advocacy NGOs.

Funding and Governance

The organisation is funded through a mix of federal grants, project funding from agencies such as the Department of Home Affairs (Australia), philanthropic support, and membership fees. Governance adheres to incorporated association rules and charity sector standards, with oversight mechanisms comparable to those applied by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for not‑for‑profit structures and audit requirements similar to those used by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Annual reporting aligns with compliance expectations from federal funding instruments and accountability to member councils.

Challenges and Criticism

FECCA faces challenges from political shifts, funding volatility, and debates over multicultural policy during administrations such as the Abbott Ministry and the Turnbull Government. Critics from some community groups and commentators in ethnic media have argued the organisation can be insufficiently representative of emerging diaspora groups or slow to respond to grassroots concerns, while policy analysts have debated its effectiveness in influencing legislation such as citizenship and counter‑extremism measures. Tensions have arisen around engagement with law enforcement agencies, public discourse on national security, and program delivery pressures highlighted during events like the COVID‑19 pandemic and inquiries into asylum-seeker policy.

Category:Multiculturalism in Australia Category:Non-profit organisations based in the Australian Capital Territory