A multicultural Australia is a multilingual Australia.

Purpose of research project *

Submission from the Multilingualism Research Centre, Macquarie University, to the Department of Home Affairs

Multicultural Framework Review

Who has, is or will benefit *

The culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia.

Description of impact *

The Multilingualism Research Centre made a submission to respond to the Multicultural Framework Review.

(p. 76) The national figure only tells part of the story. There are great differences in the proportion of people speaking other languages at home across different metropolitan areas and even more so between metropolitan and regional areas. For example, a submission from the Multilingualism Research Centre at Macquarie University detailed that in Sydney the proportion of people who use another language at home rises to 42% and is above 80% in many western Sydney suburbs. Australia’s multilingual population doubled in size in the first two decades of the 21st century, and Australia’s young multilingual population is growing especially rapidly – 56% of pupils in Sydney schools now have a language background other than English. And, although many Indigenous languages are endangered, the overall number of speakers also increased by 56% between 2001 and 2021.(81)

Referenced points from the submission
(p.75) This diversity of languages is a rich part of contemporary Australia, as much as it was a part of ancient Australia. Language, culture and identity are inseparable (77) – and vital to an individual and a community’s sense of connection, belonging and wellbeing.
(p.77) Linguistic and cultural diversity brings with it a range of social and economic benefits (83).

Impact date	8 Aug 2024
Category of impact	Policy impacts
Impact level	Emerging (pre)