Our Purpose
1.To promote Filipino migrants’ wellbeing and their rights to better economic, cultural and political life in Australia
2. To provide services to disadvantaged community members
3. To support and assist Filipino community groups
4. To establish partnerships with other relevant organisations on issues of common concern to benefit the Filipino community
5. To facilitate assistance to activities and projects in the Philippines
Our Impact
Thanks to the support of our community, we have been able to make a significant impact over the years. Learn more about our accomplishments and the positive change we have brought about.
our story
Early days
Australian Filipino Community Services, formerly known as the Center for Philippine Concerns Australia Inc. (CPCA) was established in 1991. A passionate group of members in the community came together and volunteered their time in establishing CPCA to support Filipino families and individuals in need.
In the early years of the organisation, we provided settlement, women’s advocacy, youth sports, and community visiting to ageing Filipinos living in South Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne and Gippsland Region since its inception.
The organisation’s initial work in addressing the serial sponsorship of Filipino women coming to Australia is an achievement we are proud of.
Australian and Philippine governments changed the immigration policy to curb serial sponsorship and protect Filipino women who were victims of the “mail-order-bride” modus operandi of abusive men from Australia. CPCA programs were a lifeline to many women needing support to escape family violence.
We did not stop advocating for protection and provision of post arrival face-to-face information sessions.
Our logo with our former name Center for Philippine Concerns Australia (CPCA) Victoria Inc
Evolving as our community’s needs evolve
In 2011, the new board of Management consulted with the community and local membership to look into the needs of second-generation migrants in Victoria. It was found that there were very limited programs and activities being offered to young people born of Filipino parentage and young newly arrived migrants.
The need to expand programs aside from seniors programs and ongoing services were also identified. The name change signifies current focus of the services provided by volunteers and staff: Community services for Australian Filipinos and Filipino Australians but not limited to Australia. The name change to Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS) was formalised in 2013, reflecting the organisation's shift in purpose, vision and mission in advocating for the community through service.
'Pilipino Kami' resource supported by the Victorian Government published in 2003 by CPCA Victoria.
Shifting to a service-driven focus to better serve the community
The progressive work of AFCS among young people, seniors and newly arrived migrants in the region gave the Filipino community an open line for communication, social connection and “bayanihan” or “mateship”. Our vision shifted to providing leadership in developing proactive services for Australian Filipinos. We continued our commitment to responding to people in need with compassion, charity and pastoral care; to offer welfare services to disadvantaged families and individuals, aged, vulnerable women and children. We continued to link up migrants to other agencies by active participation in the workforce, civic life, community education and volunteering as well as preserve the Australian Filipino cultural heritage.
The year 2021 was a milestone year for our service to the community. Not only that we celebrated our 30 years of volunteering, we also celebrate the 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Philippines. To Aussies, it is about “mateship”, to Pinoys it is about “bayanihan.”
AFCS logo introduced with name change in 2013
'Bayanihan' at the centre of our organisation
The progressive work of AFCS among young people, seniors and newly arrived migrants in the region gave the Filipino community an open line for communication, social connection and “bayanihan” or “mateship”. Our vision shifted to providing leadership in developing proactive services for Australian Filipinos. We continued our commitment to responding to people in need with compassion, charity and pastoral care; to offer welfare services to disadvantaged families and individuals, aged, vulnerable women and children. We continued to link up migrants to other agencies by active participation in the workforce, civic life, community education and volunteering as well as preserve the Australian Filipino cultural heritage.
The year 2021 was a milestone year for our service to the community. Not only that we celebrated our 30 years of volunteering, we also celebrate the 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Philippines. To Aussies, it is about “mateship”, to Pinoys it is about “bayanihan.”
Group of placement students with staff, 2025
35 years of Serbisyo sa Kapawa Filipino
Now in 2026, we celebrate 35 years of AFCS, marking a journey that has grown from a small community initiative into a statewide organisation delivering expanded services, vibrant cultural programs, and vital support for Filipino families across Victoria, alongside outreach projects that uplift communities in the Philippines.
This milestone also reflects our continued growth beyond Victoria, with AFCS now proudly supporting seniors in Sydney, NSW, strengthening our commitment to care, connection, and community
35 years of Serbisyo sa Kapwa Filipino!