People from CALD Backgrounds

What is a CALD background?

The term CALD refers to an individual or group of people who are from a Cultural and Linguistically Diverse background.

What is culture?

Culture describes the way of life that a group of people inherits and modifies over time as changes occur. However, culture is not only the way we do things, it is also our attitudes,beliefs, thoughts, expectations, goals and values.

Factors that affect culture:

  • Country of origin
  • Language, Ethnicity, Religion, Traditions
  • Life events
  • Gender
  • Education
  • Income
  • Time lived in Australia
  • Values system

What is Cultural Diversity?

Cultural Diversity: means that all apllicable cultural factors such as personality, work style, perception, attitudes, discipline etc are all different from one culture to another and one individual to another.

  • A culturally diverse community has a wide range of traditions, languages, beliefs, values, ideas and practices;
  • Australia now consists of people from many different cultural, religious, ethnic and national backgrounds;
  • All cultures are important to Australia's heritage and members of different cultures are entitled to equality of opportunity and social justice;
  • Cultural, social and linguistic diversity are assets in an economical global market and can broaden and enrich our daily lives;
  • Diversity is an opportunity but also can lead to tension if we see differences as exclusion, disadvantaged or racism.
(VALUING DIVERSITY Training Handout 3.7 - Ethnic Child Care, Family & Community Services Co-operative Ltd) 

Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness recognises that we are all shaped by our cultural background, which influences how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people. You don’t need to have expert knowledge on every culture or have all the answers to be culturally aware; rather, cultural awareness helps you to explore cultural issues more sensitively.

Engaging CALD Communities  

It is important that you use a number of effective communication strategies when attempting to engage with CALD communities and or/CALD community members. The resources provided below, provide a more thorough look at some of the aspects to consider.

How to consult with CALD Communitiestype: pdf | size: 39 kB
Factors Affecting Cross-Cultural Communicationtype: pdf | size: 39 kB
Organisational Commitment to Cultural Diversitytype: pdf | size: 31 kB

HACC Cultural Action Plans

Resources & Publications

Useful Links