• Community Services (retired), Standard 13/10/2011
• Disability, Standard 13/08/2015
• Health, Standard 13/10/2011
• Homelessness, Superseded 10/08/2018 [Non Dictionary]
• Housing assistance, Standard 13/10/2011 [Non Dictionary]

The Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) has a three-level hierarchical structure. The most detailed level of the classification consists of base units (languages) which are represented by four-digit codes. The second level of the classification comprises narrow groups of languages (the Narrow group level), identified by the first two digits. The most general level of the classification consists of broad groups of languages (the Broad group level) and is identified by the first digit. The classification includes Australian Indigenous languages and sign languages.

For example, the Lithuanian language has a code of 3102. In this case 3 denotes that it is an Eastern European language, while 31 denotes that it is a Baltic language. The Pintupi Aboriginal language is coded as 8713. In this case 8 denotes that it is an Australian Indigenous language and 87 denotes that the language is a Western Desert language.

Language data may be output at the Broad group level, Narrow group level or base level of the classification. If necessary, significant languages within a Narrow group can be presented separately while the remaining languages in the Narrow group are aggregated. The same principle can be adopted to highlight significant Narrow groups within a Broad group.

Data should be captured, classified and stored at the base level of the classification wherever possible as this allows the greatest flexibility for output.

Recommended question:

Which language did you/did the person/did (name)/will (name of child under two years) first speak as a child?

While agencies are encouraged to use the recommended question described above, it is acknowledged that this is not always possible in practice. For example, where the data collection is a by-product of the provision of a health or community service, the information may be ascertained using different means. However, this standard should be used wherever practically possible.

Response options for detailed data:

Alternative 1

English  []
Mandarin []
Italian []
Arabic []
Cantonese []
Greek []
Vietnamese []
Spanish []
Hindi []
Tagalog []
Other - please specify ...............

The above list includes languages based on their statistical significance in the Australian context. The list is reviewed when data indicate that different languages have been more or less frequently reported in the Census of Population and Housing.

Alternative 2

English []
Other - please specify ...............

Response option for minimum data:

English []
Other []

Persons whose first language is not English have been identified by service providers as a population group that may experience disadvantage when seeking to obtain equal access to government and community programs and services in Australia. Data relating to 'First language spoken' may thus provide a surrogate indicator of disadvantage potentially associated with a lack of English competence or with other factors associated with cultural background.

The ABS Language Standards, 2012, Version 1.1 (cat. no. 1200.0.55.005) was released in September 2012. The recommended question recognises children under two years of age.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011. Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) 2011. Cat. no. 1267.0. Canberra: ABS.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012. Language Standards, 2012, Version 1.1. Cat. no. 1200.0.55.05. Canberra: ABS.