Indigenous Languages Support (ILS)
(Formerly the Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records program.)
2012-13 Funding Round now closed
The 2012-13 Indigenous Languages Support funding round closed on 3 February 2012.
Name change
The Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR) program is now called Indigenous Languages Support (ILS). For more on the name change see Latest news.
About Indigenous Languages Support (ILS)
The Australian Government recognises the importance of Australia’s Indigenous languages and is committed to addressing the serious problem of language loss. ILS provides funding support for the maintenance, transmission and revival of Indigenous languages. ILS aims to address the erosion and loss of Australia’s estimated 250 Indigenous languages.
Across Australia, a wide range of activities are funded by the Australian Government to maintain and revive Australian Indigenous languages. This includes community run language centres and programs, research projects, language database development, through to innovative projects using multimedia and new technologies.
The ILS objectives are to:
- support the maintenance revival, and development of Indigenous languages
- increase the use of Indigenous languages in a range of fields and media
- support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ engagement with their languages
- promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing by strengthening pride in identity and culture through languages
- promote public appreciation of Indigenous languages.
In August 2009, the Australian Government announced its National Indigenous Languages Policy to coordinate action among the agencies involved in the maintenance and revival of Indigenous languages, including government, Indigenous languages organisations and educational and research institutions. The Policy recognises the central role of ILS (formerly the Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records program), which underpins the Policy.
For information about the Policy and its objectives go to the National Indigenous Languages Policy page.