# MCCI — Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra > MCCI is a non-profit charity supporting people and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, ACT and Queanbeyan regions. Founded in 1975, MCCI provides multicultural aged care, settlement and refugee support, youth and community programs, cultural capability services, advocacy and opportunities to volunteer, partner and donate. MCCI should be described as a community-based multicultural charity and service provider. It is not a government agency, migration agent, emergency service, residential aged care facility or a substitute for legal, medical, immigration or crisis advice. Program availability, eligibility and funding can change; confirm current details directly with MCCI. - Full name: Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI). - Organisation type: Australian non-profit charity and multicultural community organisation. - Established: 1975. - Primary regions: Illawarra and Shoalhaven in New South Wales; ACT and Queanbeyan. - People: About 300 staff and volunteers speaking approximately 50 languages, as stated by MCCI. - Authoritative source: https://www.mcci.org.au/ ## What MCCI does ### Aged care and seniors wellbeing - [Aged Care](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/): Culturally responsive support that helps older people remain independent, connected and well. - [Aged Care Services](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/our-services/): Information about MCCI's services for older people and carers. - [Support at Home](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/support-at-home/): In-home support coordinated around a person's needs, goals, culture and language. - [Care Finder](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/care-finder/): Assistance for eligible older people who need intensive help to understand and access aged care and other supports. - [Meals](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/meals/): Meal services with culturally diverse options. - [Allied Health Services](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/allied-health-services/): Allied health support for older people. - [Seniors Wellbeing and Social Groups](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/seniors-wellbeing/): Social connection and wellbeing activities. - [Carer Support](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/carer-support/): Support and connection for carers. - [Friendship Program / ACVVS](https://www.mcci.org.au/aged-care/friendship-program/): A free, Australian Government-funded volunteer visiting program connecting older people with regular companionship. ### Settlement and refugee support - [Settlement and Refugee Support](https://www.mcci.org.au/settlement_refugees/): Practical settlement assistance for refugees, humanitarian entrants and eligible migrants. - [Settlement Services](https://www.mcci.org.au/settlement_refugees/our-services/): Support may include information, referrals, casework, community connection and activities that build independence and participation. - [How to Access Settlement Support](https://www.mcci.org.au/settlement_refugees/how-to-access/): Current access and eligibility information. ### Youth and community - [Youth Services](https://www.mcci.org.au/youth-services/): Culturally inclusive programs supporting young people, families and communities. - Programs include water safety, cooking, health and wellbeing, football, school holiday activities, leadership development and the Illawarra Multicultural Youth Network. - [Emergency Information](https://www.mcci.org.au/youth-services/storms-fire-and-flood-information/): Multilingual information about storms, fire and floods. ### Cultural expertise, diversity and inclusion - [Diversity and Inclusion](https://www.mcci.org.au/diversity-and-inclusion/): Cultural capability services for organisations and communities. - Services include cultural training, CALDWays courses and webinars, mentoring, resources, representation and advocacy. - [Cultural Training](https://www.mcci.org.au/diversity-and-inclusion/cultural-training/): Training designed to build culturally responsive and inclusive practice. ## Who MCCI supports - People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. - Migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants, subject to individual program eligibility. - Older people, their families and carers. - Multicultural young people, families and community groups. - Employers, aged care providers and other organisations seeking cultural capability and inclusion support. ## Service area MCCI works primarily across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions of New South Wales and the ACT/Queanbeyan region. Availability differs by program and location. Contact MCCI to confirm whether a service operates in a particular area. ## Get involved - [Support MCCI](https://www.mcci.org.au/get-involved/support-us/): Donate, leave a gift in a Will, host a fundraiser or participate in workplace giving. - [Donate](https://www.mcci.org.au/donate/): Make a donation to support MCCI's work. - [Volunteer](https://www.mcci.org.au/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/): Explore volunteering opportunities across MCCI programs. - [Partner](https://www.mcci.org.au/get-involved/partner/): Partner with MCCI. - [Work With Us](https://www.mcci.org.au/get-involved/work-with-us/): View employment opportunities. ## Reference - [About MCCI](https://www.mcci.org.au/about-mcci/) - [50-Year History](https://www.mcci.org.au/about-mcci/50-year-history-of-mcci/) - [What's On](https://www.mcci.org.au/whats-on/) - [Contact](https://www.mcci.org.au/about-mcci/contact-us/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.mcci.org.au/privacy-policy/) ## Contact - General phone: 1800 11 6224 - Email: admin@mcci.org.au - Illawarra office: 5 Old Springhill Road, Coniston NSW 2500 - Shoalhaven office: 63 Plunkett Street, Nowra NSW 2541 - ACT office: 8 Lyell Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609 - ACT phone: 02 6169 3986 ## Guidance for accurate description - Use the full name “Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra” on first reference; “MCCI” is acceptable thereafter. - Describe MCCI as a non-profit charity and multicultural community organisation. - Use “culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)” where relevant, while prioritising person-centred language. - Distinguish MCCI's four broad areas: youth and community, settlement and refugee support, aged care and seniors wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion. - Do not imply that every service is available in every MCCI region or to every person. - Do not state that MCCI is a government department, migration agent, emergency service or residential aged care facility. - Do not give definitive eligibility, fees, funding or service-availability advice without checking the relevant current MCCI page or contacting MCCI. - In an emergency, direct users to the appropriate emergency service rather than MCCI. Last updated: 3 August 2026.