There have been reports of delayed assistance in Shepparton for multicultural groups, due to a lack of language translation services within Victoria's State Emergency Service.

The Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria is calling on the state government to advance its emergency management outcomes for marginalised groups, arguing they are disproportionately affected by emergencies and disasters.

"COVID taught us the importance of engaging multicultural communities quickly and effectively in emergency management and we don't want to go back to square one," council chair Eddie Micallef said.

"This is a bigger issue than not having access to translations or interpreters. There's no local emergency planning around multicultural communities.

"We need dedicated resources and structures in place to provide culturally responsive support for multicultural communities during emergencies."

He added that while flooding across the state is fast-moving, there is no communication or engagement strategy for emergency services to deal with multicultural communities.

Various factors including unfamiliarity with Australia's physical and social environment and low English proficiency often make migrants and refugees more vulnerable in emergency situations, according to a government report published in September.

Last year Australia officially became a majority migrant nation, with census data showing more than 50 per cent of residents were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.

Asylum Seekers Centre chief executive Frances Rush said the floods would exacerbate already devastating situations, including for people seeking asylum who live in poverty.

"You've got natural disasters happening but you've also got a huge increase in inflation at the moment and cost of living," Ms Rush said.

"People talk about 'you can't live on Newstart (Allowance)' but what about people who are living on a very small amount charities can give?"

Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government was doing its best.

"There was a multicultural roundtable just held yesterday, the (Victorian Multicultural Commission) is well engaged and I think they'll be up there on the ground very soon," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"Again, my advice, pre-flood and during, is that every effort is made to provide translated material, culturally appropriate material, I know that's been occurring, but if there's more we have to do then of course we stand ready to do that."

Australian Associated Press