Community Language School Program

Latest update

The Community Language School Program was finalised and delivered at the end of 2023 in consultation with the ACT Community Language School members.

Cycle: 1

Commissioner: Community Services Directorate

Status: Deliver

We maintain collaboration between sector partners and commissioner to deliver the desired outcomes. In this phase we will:

• Establish our partnership that ensures:
  • service outcomes are met and evidenced with data
  • the voices of people with lived experience continuously inform service delivery
  • maintain dialogue that meets the needs of commissioner and service provider
  • promote open, transparent conversations regarding risks, challenges and opportunities
• Cultivate flexible service delivery
• Demonstrate impact through outcomes reporting
• Deliver in partnership to meet the needs of the community through the service

Background

With nearly 1 in 4 Canberrans speaking a language other than English at home, Canberra is a proud multicultural city.

A wide range of initiatives to meet the needs of Canberra’s growing multicultural community and foster a community that is inclusive and welcoming. Through the Community Language School Program (the Program) more than 2000 Canberra students are educate in their languages and culture. The Program builds connection within communities, encourages social cohesion, and strengthens familial ties through shared language.

Commissioning applies a consistent way of working together – government and non-government – to keep the human services system – which includes the Community Language Schools Program - responsive to needs.

Commissioning is our opportunity to ensure our multicultural services are effectively meeting the needs of our growing population with the ACT being home to more than 116,750 culturally and linguistically diverse people.

Engagement and collaboration

The Commissioner (government) undertook a Review of ACT Community Language Schools (the Review) in 2020.

Although prior to the ACT commissioning approach, the Review identified community need, challenges, service providers and opportunities to improve service design, investment, and delivery.

The Commissioner is using this review to inform engagement with organisations and people with lived experience to further validate community needs, service design options and determine investment approaches.

Contact us

To learn more about the process email Health and Community Services Directorate: HCSDCommissioning@act.gov.au

What we are looking at, listening to, and sharing

We are seeking insights, perspectives and experiences that help us understand:

• What service gaps you have identified
• What emerging needs you have identified
• How your organisation is providing services or programs
• Any new or emerging groups that could benefit from a service or program
• What are meaningful measures and indicators
• Lived experiences of people benefiting from the service or program
• How to develop better linkages and coordination across all service delivery
• Innovate ways we can address the service or community need gaps
• Refine program outcomes in line with the ACT Wellbeing Framework
• Design and improve the service requirements or the service mix

We will use your views to

Related commissioning cycles

We are listening to, connecting with, and drawing from these related commissioning cycles:

• Multicultural Inclusion Programs (various)

Key links

We are referencing the following plans, strategies, and frameworks in this cycle:

• ACT Carers Strategy
• ACT Wellbeing Framework
• Multicultural Recognition Act
• Next Steps for Our Kids 2022 -2030

Page updated: 26 Nov 2025