Australia invests $10.8 million in migrant and refugee women's health program

The Australian Government has announced a $10.8 million investment to continue the Health in My Language (HiML) program over the next two years. Led by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH), the initiative provides free health education sessions to migrant and refugee women across all Australian states and territories.

Delivered by bilingual educators with community connections, the program aims to overcome barriers caused by language differences, low health literacy, and unfamiliarity with the Australian healthcare system. The sessions cover a wide range of topics, including reproductive health, mental health, cancer screenings, and navigating medical services. Since its inception in 2022, approximately $35 million has been invested in the program, reaching over 8,000 participants in more than 30 languages.

A recent evaluation of the 2025–26 period, launched by Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White, indicates that the program helps participants gain greater confidence and improved understanding of health services.