The Albanese Labor Government is setting up young Australians for success in future jobs and industries, through strengthened Asian language education.
Under the Fluency in Asian Languages program, the Albanese Government has announced $2.5 million of support for Asian language learning, shared between nine organisations across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
The funding is part of the Governments $25 million Community Language Schools program and will support students in Years 7 to 12 build fluency in more than 15 Asian languages, strengthen cultural literacy and remain engaged in language learning.
These schools play a vital role in multicultural Australia, helping young people maintain connection to language, heritage and identity while developing skills that benefit the broader community and economy.
Beyond being a vital national capability, learning Asian languages also delivers significant personal benefits, helping young Australians build stronger connections to their cultural heritage, deepen their sense of identity and belonging, and develop the confidence to navigate multiple cultures
The funding will increase student participation and retention in Asian language learning through community language schools and strengthen the operational capability of schools, enabling them to support sustained and high‑quality language study. It will also support the development of curriculum and learning resources designed to strengthen community language education nationwide..
Languages being supported by grants include: Bengali, Burmese, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malayalam, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yue (Cantonese).
These include projects by Macquarie University, The University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and the Australian National University which will be of national benefit.
A sustained decline in Asian language learning has weakened Australia's Asia capability, with consequences for our social cohesion and national interests. Strengthening this capability is an important priority for the Albanese Government.
Since 2023, the Australian Government has invested $40.6 million to support community language schools, highlighting the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Asia.
$5 million has been earmarked to community language schools take more students through to year 12 and achieve fluency.
This investment is essential to promoting Australia's national interests globally and ensuring the future of Australia's Asia capability.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:
"Australia's interests demand we engage in the region more consistently and more deeply.
"When young Australians learn Asian languages, they can build the trust, relationships and capability to engage in our region more effectively.
"This is all about giving the next generation of Australians the ability to succeed in the communities and region that will shape our nation's future."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Anne Aly:
"Community language schools are central to multicultural Australia, giving young people the opportunity to stay connected to their heritage while gaining skills that will benefit them for life.
"Language skills are a national asset. They create opportunity for young people, strengthen cultural understanding and help build the workforce Australia needs for the future.
"Community language schools make an extraordinary contribution to our nation, keeping language and culture alive while helping shape a more connected and capable Australia."
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill:
"Australia's future prosperity depends on our ability to engage confidently with our region - the fastest-growing region in the world. At the election we committed to invest $5 million to support more students, regardless of their background, to become fluent in Asian languages throughout their high school years.
"This investment recognises the dedication of teachers, volunteers and families who work every week to keep languages, cultures and community connections strong.
"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."
