An Act relating to Aboriginal languages in NSW

Aboriginal Languages Act 2017

The NSW Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 became law on 24 October 2017. It is the first legislation in Australia to acknowledge the significance of First Languages. The Act commenced on 5 March 2020.

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Aboriginal languages are important to NSW First peoples and all people in NSW. We want Aboriginal languages to be spoken by future generations of First Peoples.  

The Act aims to promote, reawaken, nurture and grow Aboriginal languages across NSW.

Aboriginal languages strengthen connections with culture and identity. This improves the wellbeing of First Peoples.

 

The Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 has three parts:
  • Acknowledgement of the importance of growing Aboriginal languages and Aboriginal custodianship of languages.
  • The role of the Aboriginal Languages Trust.
  • A 5-year Strategic Plan to guide language growth in NSW.

View the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 online.

 

Hansard record

Hansard is the written record of proceedings and debates in Parliament. It is a verified and accurate record rather than strictly verbatim transcript. 

View the Hansard report from the Legislative Council online.

Download

Download Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 PDF 120.62KB Current as of Tuesday, 30 April 2024.
Download Legislative Council Hansard – 11 October 2017 PDF 1.26MB Current as of Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

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Type: Policy
Author: Aboriginal Affairs
Publication Date: 24 October 2017
Version: No 51

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About NSWCommunity servicesAboriginal AffairsAboriginal languagesIndigenousDiversity and inclusion
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