Raj Saini, Founder of The Republican
Raj Saini, A Leader Who Delivers for the Community
Raj Saini is a community leader, advocate and a voice for equity and inclusion, who has dedicated more than a decade to strengthening multicultural communities across Melbourne. After arriving in Australia as an international student in 2008, Raj experienced firsthand the opportunities and challenges of building a new life. Those experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate the same journey, ensuring migrants and culturally diverse communities have access to opportunities, support and a strong voice in public life.
Working across community organisations, government and the multicultural sector, Raj has built meaningful partnerships that bring people together, promote social cohesion and deliver practical outcomes. His leadership in community engagement and strategic communications has enabled him to connect diverse communities with decision-makers, champion cultural inclusion and advocate for policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of everyday Victorian families. Whether supporting new migrants, empowering community organisations or fostering cross-cultural understanding, Raj believes lasting change is achieved by listening, collaborating and delivering tangible results.
Grounded in service and driven by a belief in fairness, opportunity and inclusion, Raj is committed to building a Victoria where every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. He believes strong communities are built through trust, accessible leadership and genuine engagement, and he is dedicated to ensuring every voice is heard and every community has a seat at the table.
Leadership & contributions
A decade of service
- 2014 to present
Founder, Success to Migration
An initiative dedicated to assisting new migrants in their settlement journey, providing pro bono immigration advice, career guidance and community integration services.
- 2017 to 2022
President, Indian Cultural Association of Victoria
Organised large-scale cultural events including the Footscray Diwali Festival, attended by thousands. Under his leadership the association also began migrant support services to help new arrivals integrate.
- 2018 to 2022
South Asian Ministerial Advisory Council, Victoria
Adviser to the Victorian Government on economic participation, social cohesion and multicultural representation, contributing policy recommendations and community-driven initiatives for new migrants, women, youth and marginalised groups.
- 2020 to present
Consumer Advisor, Mercy Health Hospitals
Contributes to policy discussions and healthcare improvements, providing feedback on patient information materials and participating in focus groups to improve healthcare accessibility.
Political background
Before founding The Republican, Raj was a member of the Australian Labor Party from 2014. He has since resigned.
Former Assistant Secretary, Melton Branch
Worked on grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and policy advocacy.
Former State Delegate, Australian Workers’ Union
Represented the interests of workers as an AWU delegate within the party, and advocated for fair policies.
Community representation
Worked to ensure the voices of migrants and the South Asian community were heard in the broader political discourse.
Community service
Turning up when it counted
During the pandemic, Raj led grocery kit donations and meal distributions, making sure essential support reached the most vulnerable members of the community. Those efforts were widely acknowledged by both the community and government bodies. He has also supported numerous community organisations as a volunteer, and was instrumental in introducing cultural festivals and community events at the Parliament of Victoria.