What does LOTE mean?
LOTE stands for Language Other Than English, the term Australian government, education and policy bodies use for any language spoken in Australia other than English.
Detailed description
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.
Why it matters
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.
Related questions about LOTE (language other than english)
What does LOTE mean in Australia?
LOTE means Language Other Than English. Australian schools, government and researchers use it for any language other than English, whether it is taught in schools or spoken at home in the community.
What is LOTE in schools?
In schools, LOTE is the subject area for learning a language other than English, such as Italian, Japanese, Chinese or Indonesian. Many curricula now call this learning area 'Languages'.
Is lote an English word?
As an acronym, yes. In Australian English LOTE stands for Language Other Than English. The word 'lote' also exists in Spanish and Portuguese, where it means a lot or batch, which is why some searches show unrelated results.
What is the difference between LOTE and a community language?
LOTE covers any language other than English. A community language is a LOTE that is actively spoken by a community in Australia, such as Arabic, Vietnamese or Greek, and it is often the language people need information in.
Does LOTE include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages?
Yes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are languages other than English. In education they are often taught under their own framework, so check how a program or dataset defines LOTE before comparing figures.
Which languages other than English are most spoken in Australia?
The ABS Census records the languages people use at home, and the most common vary by suburb and region. Use the Australian Language Map to see which languages are spoken in a specific area.