Aged Care
More than care
Government-funded aged care at home, delivered with compassion, consistency and cultural understanding — so life can stay familiar, social and independent.
Italian Festa · Melbourne
Proud organiser of the Italian Festa
CO.AS.IT. proudly presents the new edition of the Italian Festa & Expo, celebrating Italian culture, community and heritage in Melbourne.
Since 1968, CO.AS.IT. has been at the heart of Melbourne’s Italian community, based in Carlton and supporting generations of Italian Australians through essential services and programs while promoting Italian language, culture and heritage. In 2023, CO.AS.IT. proudly took on the honour of organising the Italian Festa & Expo, celebrating this extraordinary heritage and sharing the richness of contemporary Italian culture with all of Melbourne.
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One organisation, four pillars
Everything CO.AS.IT. does grows from the same mission: enhancing the quality of life of Italian Australians — at every age, in every generation.
Language
Speak Italian, open new worlds
Italian for everyone — children, students, adults and schools — with engaging classes, VCE support and expert help for teachers.
Culture
Culture & Community
Exhibitions, theatre, cinema, conferences and workshops have brought people together for more than 15 years.
Heritage
The Italian Australian story
The Italian Historical Society and Museo Italiano collect, preserve and share the story of Italian migration to Australia.
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Life is better together
Whether you're arranging care for a loved one, learning Italian, joining a cultural event or tracing your family's story, CO.AS.IT. is your Italian centre. Find us at 189 Faraday Street, Carlton, or call 03 9349 9000.
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Aged Care — care from the heart
CO.AS.IT. has spent 50 years supporting independence and dignity, always not-for-profit. Our government-funded care at home is delivered with compassion, consistency and cultural understanding — our staff don't just visit, they become part of your routine, your day, your world.
Body
Care for the body
Personal care, nursing and clinical services, allied health such as physiotherapy and podiatry, continence and medication support, and mobility aids and equipment.
Mind
Support for the mind
Socialisation, leisure activities and companionship — plus respite so families and carers can take a break.
Life
Help with everyday life
Domestic assistance like cleaning and laundry, shopping and meal preparation, gardening and home maintenance, and transport for getting out into the community.
Volunteers
Someone in your life
For over 40 years we've placed our volunteers next to our most vulnerable clients to keep them company and to have a social life they would have lost
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Language — speak Italian, open new worlds
Italian for everyone: empowering learners, supporting teachers and assisting schools. CO.AS.IT. Language is an accredited centre for the CELI Italian proficiency exams, with a Resource Centre and library at its Carlton home.
Children
Girotondo & Doposcuola
Preschoolers learn through play and exploration in weekly Girotondo sessions, while primary and secondary students join Saturday-morning classes at our accredited community language school.
Students
VCE support that delivers
Summer intensive programs, mock written and oral exams, and weekly support classes help Unit 3 & 4 students walk into their final Italian exam prepared and confident.
Adults
Beginner to advanced — and beyond
Year-round morning and evening classes with experienced teachers, CELI exams for citizenship and university admission, and C.U.T.E. — our University of the Third Age — keeping minds active in Italian.
Schools
Expert support for teachers
For over 30 years we've placed language assistants from leading Italian universities in Victorian schools — alongside teacher training, curriculum development and the Orizzonti educational magazine.
At a glance
Your Italian centre in Carlton
One address on Faraday Street — generations of stories.
Home
189 Faraday Street
Classes, cultural events, the Resource Centre and the Museo Italiano — all under one roof in Carlton.
Mission
Not-for-profit, always
CO.AS.IT. engages and safeguards the Italian Australian community to enhance their quality of life.
Pillars
Four ways we care
Aged Care, Language, Culture and Heritage — one organisation serving every generation.
50 years
Aged care from the heart
Half a century of supporting independence and dignity at home.
Since 1980
Italian Historical Society
Collecting, preserving and sharing the Italian Australian immigration story.
15+ years
Cultural Program
Exhibitions, live music, cinema and talks bringing people together in Carlton.
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Culture — celebrating creativity & community
For more than 15 years, CO.AS.IT.'s Cultural Program has brought people together in Carlton — an inclusive space where established and emerging artists, different generations and communities meet.
On show
Exhibitions & community stories
Visual arts and community-story exhibitions connect artists and cultural practitioners with the wider community.
On screen
Italian Cinema Forum
Regular screenings and conversation celebrate Italian film, from beloved classics to new voices.
Next Gen
A fresh way in for young people
Bilingual art workshops, Vinello e Pennello — our Italian paint & sip — wellness classes in Italian, Speed Talking conversation nights and the annual Italian Family Picnic.
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Heritage — discover the Italian Australian story
Since 1980, the Italian Historical Society has worked with the community to collect, document, preserve and share the unique story of Italian migration to Australia.
Since 1980
Italian Historical Society
A collection of photographs, documents and memories — supporting researchers, family historians and anyone curious about Australia's Italian heritage.
Museo Italiano
The first of its kind in Australia
The Museo Italiano permanent exhibition at 189 Faraday Street explores Australia's rich Italian history and heritage. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 1pm–5pm.
For schools
Education programs
Programs for Upper Primary to Year 12 explore Italian migration and its contribution to Australian society — presented in English, Italian or bilingual formats.
Online
Visit from anywhere
An immersive virtual-reality tour makes the Museo Italiano collection available anytime, anywhere.