Recommendation 114
• Department of Communications and the Arts
• States and territories
The Australian Government is committed to preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of our First Peoples. Information about work underway around the country can be found on the Culture and capability page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies works to preserve and promote cultural and linguistic heritage through collections, records, research and publications. Information on the Institute and its work can be found on the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website.
The Department of Communications and the Arts invests around $20 million per year through the Indigenous Languages and Arts program to projects that support a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous languages and arts network. The program includes supporting 22 Indigenous Language Centres in community, working on approximately 165 languages.
The Australian Government is funding language revival and maintenance activities in communities and encouraging language learning in schools. The Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages is the first national curriculum document (covering Foundation to Year 10) to provide a way for schools in Australia to support the teaching and learning of languages indigenous to this country. Information about the curriculum can be found on the Australian Curriculum website. For information on Australian state and territory work relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:
For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:
- Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
- New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
- Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
- Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
- South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
- Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
- Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
- Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage