Recognise Tamil as a Priority Asian Language in Australia – Our Heritage and Our Future
The issue
To the Australian Government and the Federal Minister for Education
We call on the Australian Government to recognise Tamil as a Priority Language under the proposed National Asia Capability Strategy and provide sustained investment in Tamil language education.
The parliamentary report Security and Prosperity in Asia: Building Australia’s Asia Capability, published in June 2026, recommends priority status for Mandarin, Indonesian, Hindi and Japanese, while placing Tamil among “Supported Languages”. Priority designation would attract direct Commonwealth investment and additional educational protections and incentives. Tamil deserves inclusion in this national investment.
A substantial Australian community with demonstrated educational demand
The 2021 Australian Census recorded 95,404 people using Tamil at home across Australia. This included 38,446 in New South Wales, 34,123 in Victoria, 8,738 in Western Australia, 7,336 in Queensland, 3,342 in South Australia, 2,417 in the Australian Capital Territory, 544 in the Northern Territory, and 461 in Tasmania. These figures demonstrate the widespread presence of Tamil-speaking communities across all Australian states and territories. Importantly, they measure Tamil language use at home, rather than the entire population of Tamil heritage.
For example, there is clear evidence of participation in Tamil education. Official NSW HSC records show:
Tamil Continuers entries increased by approximately 76% between these years.
We welcome investment in other Asian languages. We ask that Tamil’s educational participation, community presence and cultural significance also receive proper consideration.
An ancient language and a living heritage
Tamil is one of the world’s oldest living classical languages, with a literary tradition extending back more than two thousand years. Its ancient grammar, Sangam poetry and rich intellectual traditions form an enduring contribution to world literature and human knowledge.
For Tamil Australians, language connects generations. It enables children to communicate with grandparents, understand family histories, read literature and participate meaningfully in cultural life.
Community commitment deserves sustained investment
Families, teachers and volunteers work to pass Tamil on to the next generation. We ask the government to strengthen that commitment through accessible learning opportunities, qualified teachers, quality resources and clear pathways into advanced study.
Tamil education should be available both to children maintaining their family language and to Australians learning Tamil for the first time.
What we ask
We respectfully call on the Australian Government to:
- Designate Tamil as a Priority Language under the National Asia Capability Strategy.
- Provide sustained funding for Tamil teaching, curriculum resources and teacher training.
- Strengthen pathways connecting community language schools, mainstream schools, senior secondary education and universities.
- Include Tamil in proposed language hubs, student incentives and relevant university language protections.
- Consult Tamil educators, students, families and community organisations, using transparent criteria when determining language priorities.
Our Recommendation
We urge The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, and the Australian Government to reconsider the proposed classification of Tamil and recognise it as a Tier 1 “Priority Language” alongside Mandarin, Japanese, Indonesian and Hindi.
Tamil's rich literary heritage and the contribution of Tamil-speaking Australians deserve fair recognition. We seek equitable access to education funding, teacher training, school pathways and proposed ATAR bonus arrangements for Tamil learners.
What You Can Do to Help
By signing this petition, you support our request for fair recognition and stronger government support for Tamil language education in Australia.
Please sign and share this petition with family and friends to help protect our children's opportunities to learn Tamil and continue studying it through Year 12.
We welcome supportive comments, but please refrain from using threatening language. Thanks for your understanding.
Signing is free. Please sign, but do not feel obliged to donate to Change.org.
Our language, our heritage, our children's future!
தமிழைக் காப்போம்! நம் குழந்தைகளின் எதிர்காலத்தைப் பாதுகாப்போம்!
Dear Supporters,
Good day and Vanakkam! NSWFTS has also raised its voice on the same cause, and our goal is common: to secure the recognition and priority language status that Tamil deserves. I kindly request everyone to vote and support the petition using the link below as well:
The NSWFTS team is working towards consolidating all the votes and strengthening our collective voice to achieve the support we need. Together, we can make a stronger impact for our children and future generations.
912
The issue
To the Australian Government and the Federal Minister for Education
We call on the Australian Government to recognise Tamil as a Priority Language under the proposed National Asia Capability Strategy and provide sustained investment in Tamil language education.
The parliamentary report Security and Prosperity in Asia: Building Australia’s Asia Capability, published in June 2026, recommends priority status for Mandarin, Indonesian, Hindi and Japanese, while placing Tamil among “Supported Languages”. Priority designation would attract direct Commonwealth investment and additional educational protections and incentives. Tamil deserves inclusion in this national investment.
A substantial Australian community with demonstrated educational demand
The 2021 Australian Census recorded 95,404 people using Tamil at home across Australia. This included 38,446 in New South Wales, 34,123 in Victoria, 8,738 in Western Australia, 7,336 in Queensland, 3,342 in South Australia, 2,417 in the Australian Capital Territory, 544 in the Northern Territory, and 461 in Tasmania. These figures demonstrate the widespread presence of Tamil-speaking communities across all Australian states and territories. Importantly, they measure Tamil language use at home, rather than the entire population of Tamil heritage.
For example, there is clear evidence of participation in Tamil education. Official NSW HSC records show:
Tamil Continuers entries increased by approximately 76% between these years.
We welcome investment in other Asian languages. We ask that Tamil’s educational participation, community presence and cultural significance also receive proper consideration.
An ancient language and a living heritage
Tamil is one of the world’s oldest living classical languages, with a literary tradition extending back more than two thousand years. Its ancient grammar, Sangam poetry and rich intellectual traditions form an enduring contribution to world literature and human knowledge.
For Tamil Australians, language connects generations. It enables children to communicate with grandparents, understand family histories, read literature and participate meaningfully in cultural life.
Community commitment deserves sustained investment
Families, teachers and volunteers work to pass Tamil on to the next generation. We ask the government to strengthen that commitment through accessible learning opportunities, qualified teachers, quality resources and clear pathways into advanced study.
Tamil education should be available both to children maintaining their family language and to Australians learning Tamil for the first time.
What we ask
We respectfully call on the Australian Government to:
- Designate Tamil as a Priority Language under the National Asia Capability Strategy.
- Provide sustained funding for Tamil teaching, curriculum resources and teacher training.
- Strengthen pathways connecting community language schools, mainstream schools, senior secondary education and universities.
- Include Tamil in proposed language hubs, student incentives and relevant university language protections.
- Consult Tamil educators, students, families and community organisations, using transparent criteria when determining language priorities.
Our Recommendation
We urge The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, and the Australian Government to reconsider the proposed classification of Tamil and recognise it as a Tier 1 “Priority Language” alongside Mandarin, Japanese, Indonesian and Hindi.
Tamil's rich literary heritage and the contribution of Tamil-speaking Australians deserve fair recognition. We seek equitable access to education funding, teacher training, school pathways and proposed ATAR bonus arrangements for Tamil learners.
What You Can Do to Help
By signing this petition, you support our request for fair recognition and stronger government support for Tamil language education in Australia.
Please sign and share this petition with family and friends to help protect our children's opportunities to learn Tamil and continue studying it through Year 12.
We welcome supportive comments, but please refrain from using threatening language. Thanks for your understanding.
Signing is free. Please sign, but do not feel obliged to donate to Change.org.
Our language, our heritage, our children's future!
தமிழைக் காப்போம்! நம் குழந்தைகளின் எதிர்காலத்தைப் பாதுகாப்போம்!
Dear Supporters,
Good day and Vanakkam! NSWFTS has also raised its voice on the same cause, and our goal is common: to secure the recognition and priority language status that Tamil deserves. I kindly request everyone to vote and support the petition using the link below as well:
The NSWFTS team is working towards consolidating all the votes and strengthening our collective voice to achieve the support we need. Together, we can make a stronger impact for our children and future generations.
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Petition created on 27 October 2026