LOTE (Language Other Than English)

LOTE stands for Language Other Than English. It is a standard term used across Australian government, education, and community services to describe any language spoken in Australia that is not English. The term appears in census reporting, education policy, health service planning, and government communications frameworks.

In the Australian education system, LOTE has been used since the 1980s to describe second language learning programs in schools. The term encompasses both community languages (languages spoken by migrant and refugee communities in Australia) and foreign languages studied for academic or commercial purposes. While curriculum frameworks have shifted toward the term "Languages" in recent years, LOTE remains widely used in policy, planning, and community services contexts.

According to the 2021 Australian Census, over 5.5 million people in Australia speak a LOTE at home. The most commonly spoken LOTEs include Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, Hindi, Spanish, and Filipino/Tagalog. For a detailed breakdown, see our article on the most common languages spoken in Australia.

LOTE data is a critical input for language services planning. Government agencies, hospitals, schools, and community organisations use LOTE statistics from the Census and other sources to determine which languages to prioritise for translation, which communities require targeted outreach, and where language support resources should be allocated.

LEXIGO provides professional translation services across 171 languages, covering all major LOTEs spoken in Australia and supporting organisations that need to communicate effectively with LOTE-speaking communities.

Understanding LOTE demographics is the starting point for any effective multilingual communication strategy. Knowing which languages are spoken in your service area, and in what numbers, determines translation priorities, resource allocation, and community engagement approaches.

For organisations serving CALD communities, LOTE data from the Census and other sources is essential evidence for building the case for translation investment and ensuring language services are directed where they will have the greatest impact.