Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Gichuhi for her question and in particular for her advocacy, both publicly and through a number of discussions that we have had in relation to English proficiency and English-language skills and support, and also for her advanced notice of this question. The Turnbull government takes very seriously the challenge of improving literacy skills in English for all Australians but particularly for those who may come from backgrounds with a language other than English. Australia is, of course, a linguistically diverse country, with participation in so many aspects of our life—economically, socially and culturally as well—being reliant upon effective communication in standard Australian English.

To support in particular migrants who arrive in Australia and need to improve their English skills, the government is investing more than $1.2 billion over the next four years into the longstanding Australian Migrant English Program, which provides up to 510 hours of tuition to help support students. But, more importantly, we've also delivered reforms to that longstanding program that focus on proficiency in English skills, not just the time that's served. We've implemented the AMEP Extend program, a new capped subprogram that offers up to 490 additional hours of tuition to eligible clients to help further improve their language proficiency skills and get them up to the standard that's required. Further, just last week I announced changes to the ELICOS standards related to English-language training around Australia to better ensure that people learning English prior to entry into tertiary education programs—higher education or vocation education—attain the standard necessary to succeed and participate fully in those programs.

We note the NAPLAN results, which are, indeed, why the government has been taking steps in relation to earlier intervention, including our proposal, which we have been working on with the states and territories, for a year 1 skills check to help have earlier diagnosis and therefore earlier support for children who need additional assistance in their language skills. (Time expired)