Community Language Schools Grants Program

For the purpose of this grant opportunity, a Community Language School (CLS) is defined as a not-for-profit community organisation that holds language classes outside of Australian school hours, for a minimum of 2 hours per week of instructor led language tuition for at least 26 weeks of the year using a set curriculum .

The objectives of the program will be to strengthen the social inclusion and prosperity of Australia’s successful multicultural society by supporting more young Australians to acquire a second language:

• to connect them to the languages of their parents, grandparents and broader communities
• enable their participation in a broader range of jobs in an economy closely integrated into a global market of diverse trading partners.

The program will enable CLS to expand the delivery of language education to more school-aged children, including pre-schoolers.

The grant opportunity consists of 3 tiers and 2 supplementary payment options for eligible CLS to apply for the following:

• Tier 1: For CLS that do not meet eligibility requirements for funding in their respective state or territory, and provide classes for a minimum of 5 students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.
• Tier 2: For established  CLS with 50 or fewer students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.
• Tier 3: For established  CLS with 51 or more students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.

In addition, 2 supplementary payments are available to CLS which are eligible for Tier 2 or Tier 3 funding:

• Supplementary Payment One: For CLS to enhance child safety and early learning conditions for pre-school aged children. To be eligible to apply for this supplementary payment, a CLS must have been operating for at least 2 years prior to their application for funding.
• Supplementary Payment 2: For new CLS to support their establishment and growth. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students. CLS applying for this supplementary payment must have been in operation between 3 months and 2 years prior to their application for funding.