Joint media release with the Hon Julian Hill MP
The Albanese Government is backing more young Australians to learn and maintain community languages, strengthening the skills that help our nation communicate, connect and lead.
Eighty-five community language schools that have not previously received funding under the Community Language Schools Grants Program will share in more than $1.47 million over four years through the program's Extension Round.
The funding will support program delivery, professional development, teacher training and the development of new online teaching materials.
Community language schools play a vital role in helping children learn the languages of their heritage while maintaining their Australians roots, all while enriching our community.
They also strengthen Australia's national capability. In an increasingly complex world, the ability to speak and understand more than one language matters. It supports diplomacy, trade, regional engagement, national security and communication with communities at home and countries abroad.
Recipients are located across Australia and include Turkish Australian Culture House Inc, which teaches Turkish language and culture to students in Western Australia, and Pythagoras Greek School Limited, which received a grant to support its work teaching Greek to students in Victoria.
In May, the Australian Government also announced $2.5 million under the Community Language Schools Fluency in Asian Languages program to help students, regardless of their background, become fluent in Asian languages through to years 11 and 12.
Both these rounds of funding are part of the Australian Government's $25.6 million investment over four years from 2025-26 in the Community Language Schools Grants Program, supporting community language schools to help more than 90,000 students learn more than 80 languages.
Quotes attributed to Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Dr Anne Aly
"Language is power. It helps us understand each other, it helps us understand the world, and it helps Australia engage with the countries and communities around us.
"In an increasingly complex world, Australia's language skills are a national strength. They support our diplomacy, our trade, our national security, and our ability to communicate with communities at home and abroad.
"As a multilingual member of the Australian Government, I know how important it is for young people to grow up with pride in their language, culture and identity.
Quotes attributed to 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.
"Having more Australians capable of speaking additional languages 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 the region.
"Our investment in more community language schools recognises that language learning is good for young people, good for communities, and good for the country."
