The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today published the updated Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) to ensure the languages spoken at home by all Australians are appropriately represented in the classification.
The updated ASCL was informed by two formal consultation periods, consultations with experts on language and with communities.
The ABS worked closely with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in the update of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to better reflect the linguistic diversity of Australia.
AIATSIS Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leonard Hill said, "AIATSIS is very pleased to see the results of our close collaboration with the ABS on the review and update of the ASCL. This will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are more accurately represented in the language data collected through the Australian Census."
There are substantial changes in the 2025 version of the ASCL. These include:
- There is now a four-level hierarchy and code structure, across the entire classification.
- Sixty-two new standalone Languages have been created, 73% (45) of which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages.
- Forty-one Languages have had label changes, 49% (20) of which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages.
- The retirement of 17 Languages to the appropriate 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) category, 71% (12) of which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages.
Details of all changes to the ASCL can be found in the Data downloads section of the 2025 ASCL.
The ABS would like to thank all those who contributed to the ASCL review.
- The ASCL is the basis for the collection, dissemination and analysis of data on the language spoken at home, in Australia.
- The updated 2025 version of the ASCL was released on 28 March 2025.
- When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
