Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Tasmania

Tasmania’s rich cultural history is built on the contributions of individuals and communities from across the globe, and our Tasmanian communities are increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse.

What is cultural and linguistic diversity?

Embracing Diversity, Fostering Belonging: Tasmania’s Multicultural Action Plan 2025 – 2029 focuses on addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse Tasmanians, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

“Groups and individuals who differ according to religion, language and ethnicity and whose ancestry is other than Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-Celtic.” (ABS 2016 Census)

This ABS definition includes Tasmanian residents who were born in Australia, as well as Tasmanians who have migrated to our island.

Who are culturally and linguistically diverse Tasmanians?

At the time of the 2021 Census:

Ancestry

• 121 Tasmanian ancestries that were not Anglo-Saxon/Celtic or Aboriginal
• Largest increases in identities since 2016 are Nepalese, Chinese, Dutch, German. Punjabi.

Migration

• 1 in 5 (over 85,500) Tasmanians were born overseas.

The Tasmanian local councils with the highest number of people born overseas were City of Hobart, City of Launceston, Glenorchy City, City of Clarence and Kingborough.

There were 55,233 visa holders.

Languages

• Nearly 1 in 10 (over 48,500) Tasmanians used a language other than English at home. That’s an increase of 21,000 more Tasmanians than in 2016.
• The top languages spoken at home were Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Cantonese and Urdu.
• Over 5,000 Tasmanians said they spoke English not well or not at all.

Faith

• 2 in 5 (242,087) Tasmanians reported having a religious affiliation. This was a decrease of over 26,500 since 2016.

Embracing Diversity, Fostering Belonging: Tasmania’s Multicultural Action Plan 2025-2029

In recognition of this rich diversity, the Tasmanian Government released Embracing Diversity, Fostering Belonging: Tasmania’s Multicultural Action Plan 2025-2029 (the Plan) in March 2025.

The Plan focuses on addressing challenges and concerns that impact the experiences and life outcomes of Tasmanians due to their ethnicity and culture, preferred languages spoken at home, or settlement status.

Tasmania’s vision is ‘a harmonious, inclusive and respectful multicultural island where all Tasmanians belong, and are enabled to contribute and achieve’ and the Plan details the specific actions the Tasmanian Government will take to achieve our vision for a multicultural Tasmania.

The Plan outlines practical actions to ensure that all Tasmanians feel safe, are empowered to participate, and feel a sense of belonging. It focuses on the key issues Tasmanians told us are most important to them, including addressing racism and fostering social cohesion, encouraging social, civic, education and economic participation to ensure all Tasmanians have opportunities to fulfil their potential, and ensuring community needs are recognised and met through culturally inclusive and accessible services.

Download the Plan:

• English language version: Embracing Diversity, Fostering Belonging: Tasmania’s Multicultural Action Plan 2025-2029. 

Who informed the Plan?

Over 1,000 Tasmanians informed the Plan through community consultations facilitated by the Multicultural Council Tasmania (MCOT), Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas), Welcome Cultural Services (WCS), the Culturally Diverse Alliance of Tasmania (CDAT) and Citizen Tasmania.

2023 Strategic Directions Report

Grants and Projects

Multicultural Community Festivals Small Grants Program

The Tasmanian Government committed to establishing a new Multicultural Community Festivals Small Grants Program (Grants Program) providing $80,000 over two years, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

In 2024-25, the Grants Program’s focus is supporting new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Department of Premier and Cabinet - Multicultural Community Festivals Small Grants Program

Social Cohesion Small Grants Program

The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting innovative projects that address racism and foster social cohesion across communities.

The Tasmanian Government has allocated $200,000 to deliver the Social Cohesion Small Grants Program 2024, providing funding for grants of up to $25,000.

Department of Premier and Cabinet - Social Cohesion Grants Program

The Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCOT)

The Tasmanian Government provides funding to the Multicultural Council of Tasmania as the peak body representing the interests of culturally and linguistically diverse Tasmanians.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Email: multicultural@dpac.tas.gov.au

Further Translation and Interpreting

Further translation services are available through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).

Phone 13 14 50