What does CALD mean?
CALD stands for culturally and linguistically diverse, the term used in Australia for people and communities whose cultural or language background differs from the English-speaking Anglo-Australian majority. CALD communities represent a significant portion of the population, with over 5.5 million people speaking a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Detailed description
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) is the term used in Australia to describe communities and individuals who come from non-English speaking backgrounds or whose cultural heritage differs from the dominant Anglo-Australian culture. The term encompasses a broad spectrum of communities, including established migrant communities, recent arrivals, refugees, international students, and second-generation Australians who maintain strong cultural and linguistic connections to their heritage.
According to the 2021 Census, nearly half of all Australians were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. Over 5.5 million people speak a language other than English at home, with more than 300 languages spoken across the country. The largest non-English language groups include Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, Hindi, Spanish, and Filipino/Tagalog. For a full breakdown of language statistics, see the most common languages spoken in Australia.
CALD communities are not a homogeneous group. Each community has distinct cultural values, communication preferences, media consumption habits, trust networks, and settlement experiences. Effective communication with CALD communities requires understanding these differences rather than treating cultural diversity as a single category. Our comprehensive guide to CALD in Australia covers the history of the term, how it differs from "multicultural," and why it matters for organisations.
The term CALD is primarily used in Australian government, health, education, and community services contexts. While it has been critiqued for potentially homogenising diverse experiences, it remains the standard terminology in Australian policy and practice for referring to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the population.
For practical strategies on reaching CALD audiences, see our CALD Communications Guide and our article on engaging CALD communities for government and NFPs.
Why it matters
Australia's cultural and linguistic diversity is one of its defining characteristics, and organisations that serve the public (government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community services) have both practical and ethical obligations to communicate effectively with CALD communities.
Failure to engage CALD communities in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways results in lower service utilisation, poorer health outcomes, reduced civic participation, and communities that feel excluded from the institutions designed to serve them. Understanding CALD demographics and communication needs is the foundation for any effective multicultural communication strategy.
Related questions about CALD
What does CALD mean in Australia?
CALD means culturally and linguistically diverse. Australian governments and services use it for people whose cultural or language background differs from the English-speaking majority, often including people born overseas or who speak a language other than English at home.
Who is considered CALD?
People are usually identified as CALD through indicators such as country of birth, language spoken at home, ancestry and religion, rather than through one test. Each organisation sets its own definition, so check how a program or dataset defines it.
See where languages are spoken on the Australian Language Map
Are Indigenous Australians considered CALD?
Generally no: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are usually counted separately from CALD groups in Australian policy and data, although many speak languages other than English.
What replaced NESB?
CALD replaced NESB (non-English speaking background) in Australian government use, because NESB defined people by what they were not.
What is the difference between CALD and CARM?
CALD describes cultural and language diversity, while CARM (culturally and racially marginalised) names the experience of racism and marginalisation. CARM is increasingly used alongside or instead of CALD.
What does CALD mean in aged care?
In aged care, CALD refers to older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who often need in-language information and culturally appropriate care.
How do you communicate with CALD communities?
Start with community data, co-design messages with community members, and deliver them in-language through trusted channels and messengers rather than translating English copy alone. That is the core of multicultural communication.