Welcoming Cities Standard

Council is now a Premium Member of the Welcoming Cities network, a national initiative that supports communities to be more inclusive, connected and welcoming for everyone.

We’ve started the accreditation process against the Welcoming Cities Standard, a nationally recognised framework for diversity and inclusion. This means we’re working towards becoming one of Australia’s leading regions for cultural inclusion and social cohesion.

Background

The Sunshine Coast is home to a growing multicultural population.

• 1 in 5 residents were born overseas
• We host 3,000 international students and 230,000 international visitors each year
• Our overseas-born population has grown by 13,300 in the past five years

This diversity brings new ideas, skills and energy to our region. It helps local businesses grow, strengthens our economy, and enriches our community life.

But being diverse doesn’t automatically mean being inclusive. Many newcomers face challenges like language barriers, cultural adjustment and discrimination.

That’s why we’re taking action—to make sure everyone feels welcome and can fully participate in life on the Sunshine Coast.

Purpose

Welcoming Cities is a national network of councils working to create communities where everyone belongs. It provides:

• Access to best practices and research.
• Support for planning and policy development.
• A structured accreditation process to measure and improve inclusion efforts.

As a Premium Member, Sunshine Coast Council will be assessed against six key areas:

1. Community leadership
2. Social and cultural inclusion
3. Economic development
4. Learning and skills development
5. Civic participation
6. Places and spaces

We’re aiming to achieve Advanced level of accreditation, reflecting our strong commitment to inclusion and readiness to lead in this space.

Outcomes

This initiative will:

• Strengthen social connections between newcomers and long-term residents.
• Improve access to services through inclusive policies and multilingual resources.
• Support local businesses to attract and retain skilled workers.
• Create more opportunities for residents to learn, volunteer and participate.
• Celebrate the diversity that makes our region unique.

It also positions the Sunshine Coast as a national leader in inclusion, especially as we prepare to welcome the world for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Accreditation isn’t just a badge, it’s a commitment to doing better. It helps us embed best practice, measure progress, and celebrate success.

We’ll be working with community partners, local employers and residents to build a region where everyone feels they belong and where that belonging drives our shared success.

Welcoming Week Picnic 

Welcoming Week, an international movement that fosters belonging for all residents, regardless of background. The 2025 theme, “Where Everyone Can Belong,” invites us to reflect on how we create spaces where every individual feels valued, included, and connected.

Join us for the Welcoming Week Multicultural Picnic on Sunday 21 September for a joyful community event celebrating the cultural diversity that makes the Sunshine Coast such a vibrant and welcoming place to live.