Joint media release with the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
The Albanese Government is investing in Indian language education to help more young Australians build fluency through to Years 11 and 12.
Funding under the Fluency in Asian Languages stream of the Community Language Schools Grants Program will support new teaching resources, teacher development and expanded senior secondary classes in languages including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
The grants will support:
- Tamil Study Centre Homebush Inc to pilot a Tamil language fluency program in Homebush before expanding it across New South Wales, with online resources shared nationally.
- NSW Federation of Tamil Schools Inc to strengthen Tamil language learning among secondary students through improved learning resources and opportunities to use Tamil in real-world settings.
- The Australian National University to develop Digital Language Hubs providing resources and professional development for community language teachers, including those teaching Hindi.
- Community Languages Victoria Inc to establish an online Teachers Hub and strengthen Asian language learning from the middle years through to senior secondary school.
- The University of Sydney to help community language schools establish Years 7-12 classes, train more teachers and develop nationally accessible resources.
The funding builds on the Government’s recent announcement that 85 community language schools will share more than $1.47 million over four years, helping schools that had not previously received funding expand their programs, train teachers and develop new learning materials.
Together, the funding rounds form part of the Albanese Government’s $25.6 million investment over four years from 2025-26 in community language schools, supporting more than 90,000 students to learn more than 80 languages.
Community language education helps young Australians maintain a connection to their culture and family while building skills that strengthen Australia’s engagement with our region.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Dr Anne Aly
“Language connects young people to their family, culture and community, and it also opens doors to study, employment and opportunity.
“These grants will help more students continue learning Indian languages into their senior secondary years, supported by skilled teachers and high-quality resources.
“Australia’s linguistic diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It helps us understand one another at home and strengthens our relationships across the region and the world.”
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill
“Community language schools play a vital role in helping young Australians stay connected to their heritage, strengthen intergenerational ties, and celebrate cultural identity.
“This funding recognises the important role teachers and schools play in keeping languages, cultures and connections strong for future generations.
“Having more Australians capable of speaking the languages of our largest trading partners and neighbours is a huge benefit to our nation, opening further employment opportunities and career paths for students, and growing economic ties with our friends and neighbours across our region.”
