With Australia’s federal election set for May 3, both major parties have made competing promises to boost community language education, aiming to win support from multicultural voters.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged $25 million to support 600 community language schools nationwide, helping over 90,000 students learn 84 languages.
The package includes $5 million for a specialist Asian languages stream targeting fluency through to Year 12, with Albanese highlighting that “this will open further employment opportunities and career paths for students, and grow economic ties with our friends and neighbours across our region.”
“Community Language Schools strengthen our social inclusion by supporting young Australians… to learn or maintain a language other than English,” Albanese added.
“This program connects students to the languages of their parents, grandparents, and broader communities.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton countered with a $4.5 million pledge to establish a Greek Cultural and Language Enrichment Centre in Oakleigh, and promised to match Labor’s commitments to Greek communities, totaling nearly $12 million if elected.
Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Henderson reiterated the Coalition’s commitment to language education, calling community language schools “a pillar of Australia’s multicultural success story” and vital for preparing young Australians for a global economy.
“The ability to speak a second or third language—especially those of our key regional partners—also opens doors in trade, diplomacy, and business,” she added.
As campaigning enters its final stretch, both parties are using language education promises to underline their support for cultural diversity — an issue likely to resonate strongly with voters in Australia’s increasingly diverse electorates.
