The Albanese Government is providing new funding to expand Indian language education in Australian schools, helping students continue studying languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu through Years 11 and 12.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said the grants would help young Australians maintain connections with their families and cultures while developing skills valuable for study, employment and Australia’s engagement with the region.
“Language connects young people to their family, culture and community, and it also opens doors to study, employment and opportunity.”
The funding, provided through the Fluency in Asian Languages stream of the Community Language Schools Grants Program, will support teaching resources, teacher development and expanded senior secondary classes.
The Australian National University will develop Digital Language Hubs providing resources and professional development for community language teachers, including Hindi teachers. Community Languages Victoria will establish an online Teachers Hub to strengthen Asian language learning from the middle years through to senior secondary school.
The University of Sydney will also support community language schools to establish Years 7–12 classes, train teachers and develop nationally accessible resources.
Tamil language programs will receive additional support in New South Wales, including a pilot fluency program and improved resources for secondary students.
Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill said stronger community language education would help preserve heritage languages and create new career opportunities.
“Having more Australians capable of speaking the languages of our largest trading partners and neighbours is a huge benefit to our nation.”
The new funding builds on a recent $1.47 million allocation for 85 community language schools that had not previously received government funding.
Together, the programs 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 studying more than 80 languages.
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