Inclusive Brisbane

Find out how Council supports people from diverse communities. View our inclusion programs and get the resources you need.

Woman in a wheelchair exiting at North Quay ferry terminal. Male passenger waiting to board in background.

Supporting diversity in our community

Brisbane is a diverse and inclusive city made up of a range of different communities.

Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome, regardless of identity, age, ability or background.

We achieve this through projects that remove barriers, build understanding and promote respect.

Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019–2029

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 is our commitment to creating a city where everyone feels they belong.

The plan helps to guide our work as we enhance your Brisbane lifestyle, including accessibility upgrades, community projects and multicultural events.

Download the plan to learn more.

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029

PDF • 8 MB • Last modified 19 Dec 2019

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This plan is also available in:

large-font (18pt) print
braille
audio recordingopens in a new tab
Australian Sign Language (Auslan) videoopens in a new tab

To order a print, Braille or audio on USB copy, complete our online formopens in a new tab or phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

You can also read the plan summary in other languages.

Traditional Chinese

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Traditional Chinese

PDF • 6 MB • Last modified 2019

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Simplified Chinese

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Simplified Chinese

PDF • 6 MB • Last modified 2019

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Korean

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Korean

PDF • 863 KB • Last modified 2019

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Arabic

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Arabic

PDF • 623 KB • Last modified 2019

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Vietnamese

A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Vietnamese

PDF • 669 KB • Last modified 2019

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Looking for something else

Community engagement

Libraries

Support for community

What's on

LGBTIQ+

We’re committed to the universal inclusion of all our residents and visitors, including our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities.

In 2016, we became the first local government in Queensland to publicly support the legalisation of marriage between consenting adults regardless of gender, sexuality or gender identity.

Initiatives to support our LGBTIQ+ community

Young people

We’re committed to ensuring all young people who live, work, play and study in Brisbane are engaged, empowered, included and celebrated.

Check out our facilities, events and activities to see what Brisbane has to offer.

Initiatives to support young people in Brisbane

Visible Ink is our central hub for young people of 12-25 years of age.

Explore new ideas, access the Maker Space and Art Hub, book a rehearsal or meeting room and connect with community partners to be part of your city. The hub is located at 5 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley.

Visit Visible Inkopens in a new tab to find out more about programs, spaces and bookings.

Our Youth Enterprise programopens in a new tab provides free opportunities for young people to pursue creative and professional ventures in a safe, central and supportive environment.

To apply or learn more about the Youth Enterprise program, complete the online application formopens in a new tab.

This is an annual celebration and performance showcase for young people 12-25 years of age.

For more information about Brisbane Youth Week:

phone 07 3403 0136
email the Youth Week team.

Local school students can develop skills in project management, communication and leadership through the Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network.

LMYELN empowers students to create positive environmental change and supports schools to be cleaner and greener.

The QUBE Effect gives 12 musical acts the chance to take part in our annual music development program.

Participants in The QUBE Effect receive mentorship from industry experts and live performance opportunities.

They also film their own music videos and compete for a range of prizes.

Applications for The QUBE Effect 2024 have now closed.

Volunteer to share your knowledge, learn new skills and meet new people from diverse backgrounds.

You can volunteer at:

Council environment centres

Homeless Connect events

Brisbane Youth Week activities

Council botanic gardens

Habitat Brisbane bushcare groups

Community composting hubs.

To find out more, email Council.

Youth Register

Are you aged 12-25 or working in Brisbane's youth sector? Subscribe to our Youth Register to receive information about opportunities, workshops, events, and news.

Subscribe nowopens in a new tab

Seniors

We recognise the important contribution seniors make to our city.

Our initiatives help to support seniors in our community with events and activities that promote inclusivity and accessibility.

You can:

get active with our Growing Older and Living Dangerously (GOLD) and Active Parks events

participate in the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret

Attend our Lord Mayor’s Seniors Christmas Parties

enjoy low-cost activities at the 50 Plus Centre, such as art, dance and tai chi classes

access grants, rebates, discounted transport, immunisation and waste services.

Find events for seniors

Multicultural services

We offer a range of support services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Whether you’re starting a new life in Brisbane, developing your English or need help with translation, we want to help.

Initiatives to support our multicultural community

Receive Council information and assistance in another language with a free telephone translation service.

Contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask to speak with Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

Council hosts citizenship ceremonies throughout the year.

Ceremonies will be held on the following dates in 2025:

Sunday 26 January
Wednesday 19 February
Monday 10 March (Postponed)
Monday 19 May
Thursday 17 July
Monday 21 July
Monday 28 July
Monday 4 August
Wednesday 20 August
Wednesday 8 October
Monday 13 October.

To apply for citizenship, contact the Department of Home Affairsopens in a new tab. The Department will then allocate you to a ceremony and notify you via email and mail.

English Conversation Groups meet at libraries. Find a group near you and attend to practice English and make new friends.

Learners of all levels are welcome and both face-to-face and virtual options are available.

Celebrate our city’s cultural diversity. Brisbane is home to a range of multicultural festivals and events from all around the world.

Attend a multicultural event near you

We offer business support to help you start, run and grow your business in Brisbane.

We also have tailored support for multicultural businesses, including an awards program and scholarships.

Accessibility and inclusion

We’re committed to making our city accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.

We provide services that aim to remove and mitigate physical and social barriers and foster a culture of inclusive participation.

Initiatives to support access and inclusion

We offer free Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreters so you can communicate with Council without the cost of an interpretation service.

Deaf Connectopens in a new tab deliver this service on behalf of Sign Language Communications.

Book an interpreter opens in a new tab

Our Brisbane Mobility Map is a guide to Brisbane’s city centre for people with impaired mobility.

You can use it to check accessible infrastructure in the CBD and City Botanic Gardens, including features such as:

accessible toilets

seating

disability parking spots

taxi ranks

drop-off zones

path gradients.

Download the map to find accessible CBD infrastructure

Brisbane Mobility Map

PDF • 34 MB • Last modified 2021

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Our braille trail is a major aid for people with visual impairment navigating the CBD. It runs from Reddacliff Place, down Queen Street Mall and on to Anzac Square.

We’ve also installed tactile street signs across Brisbane so you can feel safe when crossing busy intersections.

CBD locations and intersections include South Brisbane, Spring Hill, Stones Corner, Fortitude Valley, Coorparoo and Sandgate.

We install Accessible Adult Changing Facilities (AACFs) at various locations across Brisbane, including Council parks, pools and other venues.

Toilets with AACFs enable adults with disability and their carers to visit places they might not otherwise be able to.

Some AACFs are part of another facility (e.g. a swimming pool) and are only accessible during facility operating hours. To check the opening hours of these facilities, visit the venue’s web page or call Council on 07 3403 8888.

Some facilities are locked for security purposes and to ensure they are available when required. You can gain entry by using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). For details about how to obtain a MLAK, visit the Master Locksmiths websiteopens in a new tab.

AACFs are available with a MLAK at:

Brisbane City Hall (you can also request AACF access via the concierge desk)
Calamvale District Park
City Botanic Gardens
Ken Fletcher Park
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha (AACFs are available at the Visitor Information Centre and the Queensland Conservation Collection garden, a 20-minute walk toward the Amphitheatre.)
Murarrie Recreation Reserve
Whites Hill Reserve
Wynnum Aqua Park and Wading Pool

AACFs are also available without the need for a MLAK at:

Colmslie Pool

Musgrave Park Swimming Centre

Newmarket Olympic Pool

Parkinson Aquatic Centre

The Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre

Website accessibility

Council is committed to ensuring everything we publish on our website is accessible to all users.

Wherever possible, we use technology that doesn’t interfere with or deny anyone from accessing information. Learn more about how we make our website accessible.

Inclusive Brisbane

Supporting diversity in our community

Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019–2029

Other languages

LGBTIQ+

Initiatives to support our LGBTIQ+ community

Commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace

Council library collection

Brisbane Pride Festival

Community grants for social inclusion

LGBTIQ+ support and community groups

Young people

Initiatives to support young people in Brisbane

Visible Ink

Youth Enterprise program

Brisbane Youth Week

Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (LMYAC)

Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network (LMYELN)

The QUBE Effect

Youth volunteers

Youth Register

Seniors

Multicultural services

Initiatives to support our multicultural community

Translating and interpreting service

Citizenship ceremonies

English conversation groups

Lord Mayor's Refugee Welcome Ceremony

Multicultural events

Supporting multicultural businesses

Accessibility and inclusion

Initiatives to support access and inclusion

Auslan interpreter service

Brisbane Mobility Map

Braille trail and signage

Accessible public transport options

Accessible Adult Changing Facilities

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