The AIATSIS Centre for Australian Languages (ACAL) sits within the Research and Education Group at AIATSIS. We undertake community-based research and projects with the aim of supporting the active practice and strengthening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

This includes projects that support language revitalisation through access to archival materials; that support the production of language resources such as dictionaries and apps; and that survey the health and strength of Aboriginal and Torrs Strait Islander languages nationwide.

Our work is strongly community focused and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control of Indigenous languages and associated data. We take a national approach to understanding the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and drawing on this, we provide advice to the public sector on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage, including language.