Dear Community Leaders,
While in Perth on Monday 28 August 2023 Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP announced that the Australian Government is investing $15 million over two years to support education of languages other than English as part of the new Community Language Schools Grant.
Community language schools play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering a bond between young learners and the languages spoken by their parents or grandparents. There are more than 700 language schools operating across Australia, teaching over 100,000 students in over 85 languages. Languages help connect Australians to each other and to the world.
Grants of up to $30,000 over two years will be available to eligible community language schools, enabling them to expand classes to pre-school aged children, purchase new resources, build quality learning environments, cover costs such as rent or teacher training, or provide fee-relief for disadvantaged students.
Applications for the Community Language Schools Grant opened on 1 September 2023 and will close 9 October 2023.
The Department of Home Affairs will be running online information sessions while the grant round is open.
Online Information Session Details:
Information Session 1:
Date: Tuesday 5 September 2023
Time: 10:30am – 11.30am AWST
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device using the details below:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 461 590 813 923
Passcode: cecRvf
Information Session 2:
Date: Monday 11 September 2023
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm AWST
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device using the details below:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 461 590 813 923
Passcode: cecRvf
The application process has been simplified to support small organisations to apply. From Friday 1 September, further information about the program and the online application form will go live on GrantConnect, the Government’s grant information system.
Funding will be available for all not-for-profit community language schools that meet the eligibility criteria. The new grant program is different from other funding opportunities previously available to community language schools:
- Established schools can apply for funding to expand classes to early childhood (preschool) aged children.
- Schools that have been operating for less than 2 years will receive a supplement to assist with the costs of building quality learning environments for their students.
This grant program will strengthen the cohesion and prosperity of Australia’s successful multicultural society by supporting more young Australians to acquire a second language
