A guide to delivering effective language services
Note: As at May 2024 the NSW Government Language Services Guidelines (Guidelines) are under review.
Director Language Services Breda Diamond“As a state that embraces migration, language services will be an ongoing government consideration to ensure everyone is able to participate in society regardless of their English language proficiency.”
NSW is one of the most linguistically diverse states in Australia. Around 26.5%* of people use a language other than English and over 360,000 people in our state have limited skills in spoken English.
Why provide language services?
To better serve all NSW residents, government services should be accessible and tailored for people including those who have limited English proficiency or prefer to communicate in a language other than English.
Providing information in language means every person who lives in NSW can access and join in all programs and activities offered by the NSW Government.
Multicultural NSW Act 2000 (NSW)“all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to...make use of, and participate in, relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales”
To support agencies and organisations (including those under a NSW Government contract or funded to provide a service, and subcontractors) to design and deliver such services, the Guidelines have been developed. These provide clear advice on how and when language services (including interpretation and translation services) should be used.
Read the current Guidelines, noting these are under review.
You may also wish to refer to the Australian Government Language Services Guidelines.
*2021 Census data
