Cultural and linguistic diversity

The department recognises the enduring traditions and cultures of the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people and also acknowledges the rich migrant heritage of our increasingly diverse society.

Schools respond to the educational needs of students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. A range of policies and resources support this:

• Queensland Multicultural Recognition Act 2016
• Queensland multicultural policy and action plan (PDF, 1.9MB)
• Indigenous Partnerships website
• Capability Framework: Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D learners (PDF, 2.6MB)
• Policy statement: English as an additional language or dialect
• Intensive English Centres - contact list (DOCX, 388KB)
• Guidelines for using interpreters in schools
• Refugee services and supports Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma
  • Students from refugee & displaced backgrounds - a handbook for schools (PDF, 2.0MB)
  • A teacher's guide to working with students from refugee and displaced backgrounds (PDF, 820KB)
  • A school counselling guide to working with students from refugee and displaced backgrounds (PDF, 722KB)
• Refugee student support kit (PDF, 300KB)
• Online teaching and learning activities:
  • Bullying. No Way! - information and resources about bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence in schools for school leaders, teachers, parents and students from Prep to Year 12 (Safe and Supportive School Communities (SSSC) Working Group, 2014)
  • Prejudice, No Way - anti-prejudice activities for Prep to Year 3 students (NSW Department of Education and Communities, 2012)
  • Racism, No Way - anti-racism activities for Year 3-12 students (NSW Department of Education and Communities, 2012)
• Other sources of advice:
  • The Australian Council of TESOL Associations Inc.
  • Queensland Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (QATESOL)
  • Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
  • Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland Australian Government: Refugee and humanitarian program  
  • Australian Government: Refugee and humanitarian program