Multicultural business and programs
Get involved in the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business programs. Apply for the scholarships to grow your business skills and capabilities.
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Discover the business initiatives supporting Brisbane’s culturally diverse business community.
The Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards celebrate the contribution multicultural business leaders make to the Brisbane economy and community through their creativity, innovation and resilience.
Take the first step towards a new career or expand your business capability with the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program. Get free business skills training in areas including leadership, marketing and management.
Find out about the eligibility criteria and how to apply to take advantage of these opportunities.
Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards program
Nominations for the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards are now open until 11.59pm on Sunday 6 July 2025.
The 2025 winners will be announced at the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event on Friday 14 November 2025 at Brisbane City Hall. Tickets for this event will be available later in the year.
Award categories
There are 4 award categories in the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards, you must:
- be from a multicultural or culturally and linguistically diverse background, with at least one natural parent born in a country other than Australia
- have Australian citizenship or hold permanent residency
- live in the Brisbane Local Government Areaopens in a new tab
- operate a business within the Brisbane Local Government Areaopens in a new tab, and have a registered Australian Business Number.
Frequently asked questions
Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event
The Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards is an annual event held at the iconic Brisbane City Hall, celebrating the achivements and contributions of the city's multicultural business community.
The event brings together leaders from Brisbane’s multicultural community and business sectors for the announcement of the winners of the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards.
Expand your professional network and connect with like-minded leaders from diverse multicultural backgrounds. Be part of the celebrations as the Lord Mayor announces the award winners, joined by special guests.
2025 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards event
The 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event will beheld at Brisbane City Hall on Friday 14 November 2025. Tickets for this event will be available later in the year.
More information
Contact Council's International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team on 07 3403 8888 or multiculturalunit@brisbane.qld.gov.au.
Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program
Access a range of business training courses with the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program.
The program offers up-and-coming business leaders the chance to expand their knowledge and skills.
Unlock better career opportunities with training courses ranging from short courses to post-graduate university programs.
Since 2008, the program has delivered more than 700 scholarships.
Benefits of the scholarship program
The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program gives you access to:
- recognised qualifications
- networking opportunities with educational and industry mentors
- pathways towards further qualifications
- the opportunity to learn from industry experts.
Check your eligibility
To be considered for the scholarship program, you must:
- be from a multicultural or culturally and linguistically diverse background, with at least one natural parent born in a country other than Australia
- have Australian citizenship or hold permanent residency
- reside in the Brisbane Local Government Area.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Scholarship Program are closed, except for the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Bachelor of Business.
Applications for the QUT Bachelor of Business:
- open on Monday 1 June and close on Sunday 31 August 2025
- must be submitted directly through QUT's website. To apply or for more information, view the course information in the 2025 course list.
Applications for the 2026 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Scholarship Program will open in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
More information
For more information about this program:
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888
- email Council.
Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round Table
Brisbane is a diverse city with a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions, and Brisbane's multicultural community has significantly contributed to the prosperity of our city and continues to play a crucial role in its economic development.
The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round Table is an independent advisory body established in 2005 as a two-way conduit between Brisbane City Council and representatives of Brisbane’s multicultural business and community organisations (community business representatives).
Since its establishment, the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round Table has played a key role in actively identifying and advising on important issues and emerging trends that directly impact Brisbane's multicultural business community. It ensures that Council remains well-informed and equipped to address the needs and concerns of this vibrant and diverse community.
Community business representatives leverage their knowledge and connections within multicultural business communities and acquire connections to their relevant business communities.
The current community business representatives are:
Member | Representing |
---|---|
Ms Kerry Xynias | Chair |
Mr Victor Asoyo | African community |
Mr Michael Ma | Chinese community |
Mr Serge Voloschenko OAM | Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) |
Ms Connie da Cunha | Filipino community |
Mrs Betty Moinet | French community |
Mr Ron Pennekamp | German community |
Mr Bico Athanasas | Greek community |
Mr Michael Yau OAM | Hong Kong community |
Mr Umesh Chandra OAM | Indian community |
Mr David Widjaja | Indonesian community |
Mr Bob Bishop | Israeli community |
The Hon. Santo Santoro | Italian community |
Ms Yoko Hintz | Japanese community |
Mr Sebastian Toro | Latin American community |
Mr Adonis Ghanem | Lebanese community |
Mr Wai-Kiong Chan | Malaysian community |
Mr Mohamad Farouk Adam | Muslim community |
Mr Andrew Foo | Singaporean community |
Mr Tenny Kim | South Korean community |
Dr Jay Weerawardena | Sri Lankan community |
Mr Kevin Pai | Taiwanese community |
Mr Turgut Manli | Turkish community |
Dr Cuong Trong Bui OAM, AM | Vietnamese community |
More information
If you are interested in learning more about Brisbane City Council’s Multicultural Affairs program, contact Council by:
- phone 07 3403 8888
- mail:
Multicultural Affairs program
GPO Box 2287
Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia.