As part of the machinery of government changes announced by the Premier in January 1991 the "policy development and administrative responsibilities" of the Ethnic Affairs Commission were placed with the Office of Ethnic Affairs, established as an associated administrative unit of the Ministry of Ethnic, Municipal and Community Affairs (MEMCA)(VA 3015). As it is assumed that the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs (VA 1042) had undertaken the "policy development and administrative responsibilities" of the Commission, the transfer of the substantive function effectively occurred from the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs to the Office of Ethnic Affairs within MEMCA. The Ethnic Affairs Unit within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (VA 1039) superceded the Office of Ethnic Affairs following further machinery of government changes in October 1992. It has been subsequently known as the Multicultural Affairs Unit (from 1996) and the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs from 1999 2000.

As the Premier is also the Minister of Multicultural Affairs, this Office continues to be within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The Office provides advice to the Victorian Government in the areas of immigration, settlement, community relations and multicultural affairs. Other roles are the assistance to other government agencies in the development of services, monitoring of policy, strategies and planning processes and the representation of the Victorian Government in inter-state and national forums.