First Nations Language Education Program projects are thriving – support for program continuation is needed
The First Nations Languages Education Program is growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language educator workforce and increasing community capacity to teach languages in schools.
The program was born out of a 2022 election commitment that resulted in the Australian Government Department of Education providing funding for 24 two-year projects and three one-year projects, delivering activities in more than 40 language communities.
These community-led projects focus on activities that increase the number of adult speakers of First Nations languages, train language speakers to teach language, and grow sustainable partnerships to embed language and culture in primary schools.
Yagarra Classroom, lead by Jade Gould
Projects have been in delivery since early 2025 and collectively have resulted in an extraordinary amount of language learning, training and community collaboration. To date, there have been:
More than 725 adult learners participated in more than 1200 language classes and 53 language camps.
194 trainee language teachers receiving training and support to grow their teaching skills, including 90 people enrolled in formal training programs.
111 schools engaged in partnerships with communities to provide language learning opportunities to students. Participating communities have supported more than 1500 hours of language learning in schools.
More than 170 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people paid to deliver and participate in language learning, language development, mentoring and training activities.
With current FNLE funding agreements coming to an end as of December 2026, these projects are seeking avenues of support that will allow them to continue work.
First Languages Australia has been seeking on ongoing commitment to the program to provide communities with secure and sustainable funding to support the development of language teaching ecosystems within communities and schools.
An additional commitment of $2.2 million was made in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, to support a short-term extension to the program until June 2027. This recent budget commitment in no way meets this need as it requires a long-term investment in community-based activities.
Commitments from both federal and state and territory governments is needed to realise long term transformation for languages and education.
First Languages Australia will continue to work with our project teams, community allies and government partners over the coming months to advocate for a long-term solution.
