CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY (CALD) CHARACTERISTICS


DESCRIPTION:

The ‘Cultural and Linguistic Diversity’ data item is made up of multiple data items that capture the cultural and linguistic characteristics of a person. When used together they can determine a person’s origins and cultural diversity.


BENEFITS OF COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION:

This information can inform important decisions around resource allocation and help ensure services are accessible, inclusive and respond to the needs of all people who require assistance.


GUIDELINES:

The recommended set of core data items required in determining an individual’s cultural and linguistic background includes:

§ ‘Country of Birth’;
§ ‘Main Language Other than English Spoken at Home’;
§ ‘Proficiency in Spoken English’; and
§ ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Status’.

Information about the first three of these data items should be collected about an individual and are described below. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status see previous data item.

In addition to the recommended set of data items, more detailed information about a person’s cultural and linguistic background can be ascertained by collecting information about a person’s ‘Ancestry’, ‘Country of Birth of Father’, ‘Country of Birth of Mother’, ‘First Language Spoken’, ‘Languages Spoken at Home’, ‘Main Language Spoken at Home’, ‘Religious Affiliation’ and ‘Year of Arrival in Australia’.


RELATED DATA COLLECTION STANDARDS:

ABS – Standards for Statistics on Cultural and Language Diversity, 1999 (cat. no. 1289.0)


CALD - COUNTRY OF BIRTH


DESCRIPTION:

The ‘Country of Birth’ data item captures information about the country a person was born in.


BENEFITS OF COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION:

‘Country of Birth’ is used to assess the ethnic and cultural composition of a particular population. Collection of this information can benefit agencies through the identification of specific sub- population groups who are accessing services.


GUIDELINES:

Information about a person’s country of birth can be obtained directly by asking the individual to specify in which country they were born, or by asking them to select their country of birth from a pre-determined list which may include the option ‘other (please specify)’.


RELATED DATA COLLECTION STANDARDS:

ABS – Country of Birth Standard, 2012, Version 1.0 (cat. no. 1200.0.55.004)
AIHW – METeOR – Person – Country of Birth

CALD - MAIN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH SPOKEN AT HOME


DESCRIPTION:

The ‘Main Language Other than English Spoken at Home’ data item captures information about the main language spoken by a person at home, other than English.


BENEFITS OF COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION:

This information is useful for organisations when making decisions around staffing and/or when allocating funding for interpreter services or other resources (such as translators, educational information, pamphlets etc.). More broadly, this information can ensure that all persons who experience family, domestic and sexual violence have equal access to services.


GUIDELINES:

Information about a person’s ‘Main Language Other than English Spoken at Home’ can be collected by asking an individual to nominate the main language spoken in their home from a list of common languages which includes the option ‘Other (please specify)’. If a person reports that he/she speaks more than one language at home (not including English), they may be required to report the language spoken most often.

Where detailed information cannot be obtained an individual may be asked whether they speak a language other than English at home and a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer may be recorded.


RELATED DATA COLLECTION STANDARDS:

ABS – Language Standards, 2012, Version 1.1 (cat. no. 1200.0.55.005) ‘Main Language Other than English Spoken at Home’
AIHW – METeOR – Person – Main Language Other than English Spoken at Home
CALD - PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH


DESCRIPTION:

Where a person has indicated that their main language spoken at home (see previous data item) was a language other than English they are then required to self-assess their ability to speak English.


BENEFITS OF COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION:

This information can be used by organisations when making decisions about staffing and/or when allocating funding for services or resources (such as translators, educational information, pamphlets etc.). It can also ensure services are accessible and respond effectively to the needs of people requiring language assistance.


GUIDELINES:

This information is only intended to be collected where an individual has indicated that English is not their main language spoken at home (see previous data item). It can be collected from an individual using a self-enumerated question which includes a selection of responses ranging from ‘not at all’ to ‘very well’. An individual may require assistance in answering this question and appropriate support should be considered by organisations.


RELATED DATA COLLECTION STANDARDS:

ABS – Language Standards, 2012, Version 1.1 (cat.no 1200.0.55.005) 'Proficiency in Spoken English'
AIHW – METeOR – Person – Proficiency in Spoken English Previous Page I Next Page