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ENGAGEMENT

Effective engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities is important to the ABS for understanding their statistical needs. This helps to encourage active support of ABS collections to maximise response rates in culturally and linguistically diverse groups and ensure culturally and linguistically diverse providers can respond to ABS surveys and information requests. Effective engagement also supports Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse population in using ABS products to make informed decisions.

Minimum Obligations:

2.1 Stakeholder Engagement - Agency to have an engagement strategy to understand culturally and linguistically diverse communities’ interaction with agency.

2.2 Language and Communication - Agency to have a language and communication plan for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including on the use of languages other than English and incorporating the use of interpreters and translators.

	Action	Accountability	Timeline	Target
2.1	2.1.1 The ABS continues its ongoing engagement strategies with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Specifically: a. Developing a culturally and linguistically diverse Census engagement and enumeration strategy, to be tested in the 2014 Census pilot. b. The current National Migrant Statistics Unit Data Needs and Priorities Review.	a. Assistant Statistician, 2016 Population Census Branch b. Director, National Migrant Statistics Unit	a. By June 2014 b. By June 2014	a. Test of engagement and enumeration strategy informs preparations for the 2016 Census. b. Review recommendations are approved by the Executive Leadership Group.
2.2	2.2.1 Develop the ABS Language and Communication Plan, incorporating current practices such as: the use of the Telephone Interpreter Service; the use of ABS culturally and linguistically diverse staff as appropriate; the register of ABS staff who speak another language; the ABS Service Charter produced in other languages; the use of the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by Australian Government Departments and Agencies.	Director, Policy and Planning Section	By June 2015	The Language and Communication Plan is implemented.
2.3	2.3.1 Continue ABS’ role in international engagement to provide liaison between Australia and other countries and international organisations, in relation to statistical matters.	Director, International Relations and Regional Statistical Development Section	From July 2013	ABS statistical expertise and contributions are valued by international organisations.