cultural diversity
Australia's Culturally Diverse Communities
Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world. The Australian population includes children and young people who were born overseas (approximately 1 in 4), have a parent born overseas and/or who speak a variety of languages.¹
The term 'culturally and linguistically diverse' is often used to broadly describe communities with diverse language groups, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, and religions.² Children and young people (and their families) from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face greater challenges across a range of health and wellbeing indicators, including language barriers, developmental vulnerability, and limited access to essential resources.³
In the Atlas, data has not been disaggregated by cultural or ethnic group. The process of disaggregating data by culturally and linguistically diverse communities presents several challenges. It is not always possible to identify culturally or linguistically diverse people in data because cultural and linguistic diversity is a complex concept, the relevant information is not always systematically recorded, and/or the number of populations are too small to report at more granular levels.⁴
However, the Atlas contains relevant several indicators of cultural and language diversity within the ‘Identity and Culture’ theme, including country of birth and children and young people who speak a language other than English at home.
¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Culturally and linguistically diverse Australians Overview. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/population-groups/cald-australians/overview
The term 'culturally and linguistically diverse' is often used to broadly describe communities with diverse language groups, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, and religions (2). Children and young people (and their families) from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face greater challenges across a range of health and wellbeing indicators, including language barriers, developmental vulnerability, and limited access to essential resources (3).
In the Atlas, data has not been disaggregated by cultural or ethnic group. The process of disaggregating data by culturally and linguistically diverse communities presents several challenges. It is not always possible to identify culturally or linguistically diverse people in data because cultural and linguistic diversity is a complex concept, the relevant information is not always systematically recorded, and/or the number of populations are too small to report at more granular levels (4).
However, the Atlas contains relevant several indicators of cultural and language diversity within the ‘Identity and Culture’ theme, including country of birth and children and young people who speak a language other than English at home.
The term 'culturally and linguistically diverse' is often used to broadly describe communities with diverse language groups, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, and religions (2). Children and young people (and their families) from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face greater challenges across a range of health and wellbeing indicators, including language barriers, developmental vulnerability, and limited access to essential resources (3).
In the Atlas, data has not been disaggregated by cultural or ethnic group. The process of disaggregating data by culturally and linguistically diverse communities presents several challenges. It is not always possible to identify culturally or linguistically diverse people in data because cultural and linguistic diversity is a complex concept, the relevant information is not always systematically recorded, and/or the number of populations are too small to report at more granular levels (4).
However, the Atlas contains relevant several indicators of cultural and language diversity within the ‘Identity and Culture’ theme, including country of birth and children and young people who speak a language other than English at home.
²Victorian Government [Internet]. Data collection standards – Culturally and linguistically diverse communities. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-family-violence-data-collection-framework/data-collection-standards-culturally-and
³Atalell KA, Pereira G, Duko B, Nyadanu SD, Skirbekk V, Tessema GA. Developmental vulnerability in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Western Australia: a population-based study [Internet]. World J Pediatr. 2025;21:744–754. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12519-025-00936-0
⁴Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Reporting on the health of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia: An exploratory paper. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/reporting-health-cald-populations/summary
¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Culturally and linguistically diverse Australians Overview. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/population-groups/cald-australians/overview
²Victorian Government [Internet]. Data collection standards – Culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Available from: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-family-violence-data-collection-framework/data-collection-standards-culturally-and
³Atalell KA, Pereira G, Duko B, Nyadanu SD, Skirbekk V, Tessema GA. Developmental vulnerability in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Western Australia: a population-based study [Internet]. World J Pediatr. 2025;21:744–754. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12519-025-00936-0
⁴Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Reporting on the health of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia: An exploratory paper. [cited 2025 Oct 24]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/reporting-health-cald-populations/summary
¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Culturally and linguistically diverse Australians Overview. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/population-groups/cald-australians/overview
²Victorian Government [Internet]. Data collection standards – Culturally and linguistically diverse communities. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-family-violence-data-collection-framework/data-collection-standards-culturally-and
³Atalell KA, Pereira G, Duko B, Nyadanu SD, Skirbekk V, Tessema GA. Developmental vulnerability in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Western Australia: a population-based study [Internet]. World J Pediatr. 2025;21:744–754. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12519-025-00936-0
⁴Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Reporting on the health of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia: An exploratory paper. [cited 2025 September 25]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/reporting-health-cald-populations/summary
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The Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas (ACYWA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their enduring connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. ACYWA is committed to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, respecting diversity, and contributing to community development and sustainability.
© 2025 Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas
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Quick links
Resources
The Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas (ACYWA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their enduring connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. ACYWA is committed to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, respecting diversity, and contributing to community development and sustainability.
© 2025 Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas
Designed by
Quick links
Resources
The Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas (ACYWA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their enduring connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. ACYWA is committed to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, respecting diversity, and contributing to community development and sustainability.
© 2025 Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas
Designed by