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Inclusive Brisbane

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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.   

This plan is also available in:

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

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.

We have a variety of initiatives to support our LGBTIQ+ community.

  • We are committed to equal opportunities in the workplace. We champion Brisbane's diversity through River City Pride, our establisheed LGBTIQ+ employeer network.
  • Our libraries provide LGBTIQ+ fiction books, non-fiction books and magazines at all branches.
  • We are proud to sponsor Brisbane Pride Festival, the largest LGBTIQ+ event in Queensland, offering events that create connections, improve confidence and increase wellbeing. 
  • We provide grants to local not-for-profit groups that aim to improve community identity, connection and social inclusion, including those that support LGBTIQ+ communities. 
  • Open Doors Youth Service provides services and support to young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and those exploring their sexuality or gender identity.

 

 

Young people 

We’re committed to ensuring all young people who live, work, play and study in Brisbane are engaged, empowered, included and celebrated. We have a range of initiatives that support young people in Brisbane.

You can:

  • book a space at Visible Ink and explore new ideas, access creative suites
  • participate in the Youth Enterprise program, Brisbane Youth Week or The QUBE Effect
  • become a young volunteer.

School students can also partipate in unique learning and leadership programs such as the Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network and the Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council.  

Learn more

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

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
  • Sunday 25 May
  • Monday 2 June
  • Monday 9 June
  • Monday 28 July
  • Monday 11 August
  • Wednesday 20 August
  • Wednesday 8 October
  • Thursday 13 November
  • Monday 8 December.

To apply for citizenship, contact the Department of Home Affairs. 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.

This annual event officially welcomes people from refugee backgrounds as new residents of the city. 

To find out more about this ceremony, email Council or phone 07 3403 8888.

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 Connect deliver this service on behalf of Sign Language Communications.

Book an interpreter

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

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.

Council's buses, CityCats and ferries also include a range of accessibility features.

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 website. 

AACFs are available with a MLAK at:

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

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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.