Certificate II in Learning an Australian First Nation's Language

About this course

The Certificate II in Learning an Australian First Nation’s Language is designed to provide Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners with foundational knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies to support the learning, use, and revitalisation of their First Nation’s language in community, cultural, educational, and personal development contexts. Graduates of this course will develop an introductory understanding of the cultural and historical significance of their target First Nation’s language, including its connections to Country, culture, and identity; identify and categorise language groups, dialects, and traditional lands; and apply respectful and appropriate protocols when engaging with language custodians and knowledge holders. Learners will gain skills to conduct basic language research using approved sources, dictionaries, and community knowledge; develop correct pronunciation, spelling, and simple sentence construction; engage in active listening and note-taking to support language acquisition; use digital tools to record and practice language; participate in group learning activities; communicate orally and in writing using basic language structures; and present short speeches or performances in the First Nation’s language to an audience. The outcomes of this course respond directly to the needs of Aboriginal communities, education systems, and the language education sector to increase the number of Aboriginal people with foundational language learning skills. Consultation with organisations including government agencies in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory confirms the need for accredited Certificate II level training as an entry point for secondary school students, community members, and emerging language workers. This aligns with Closing the Gap Target 16, which seeks a sustained increase in the number and strength of Aboriginal languages spoken by 2031; the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) and Australia’s Voices of Country: Action Plan, which prioritise intergenerational language transmission and cultural revitalisation; and the First Nations Languages Education Program, which seeks to grow the Aboriginal language education workforce nationally. While the occupation outcomes of this course align to the occupation description for ANZSCO code 224912 Liaison Officer (ie Aboriginal Liaison Officer) on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website, the AQF level of the qualification does not align the Skill Level assigned to this occupation by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.