In the Sydney electorate of Watson, where Immigration Minister Tony Burke represents, roughly one in seven residents speaks little or no English, highlighting ongoing challenges in language proficiency among Australia’s migrant communities. Data from the 2021 census shows that approximately 6,000 people in Watson did not speak English, and an additional 19,000 had limited English skills. This linguistic divide underscores the critical role English plays in everyday activities such as job applications, understanding safety protocols, reporting crimes, and community interactions.

The issue of English language proficiency among migrants has gained renewed attention partly due to concerns raised as far back as 1996. Since that time, the number of migrants with poor or no English skills nationally has more than doubled, exceeding 800,000. Despite this, Australia’s long-standing response—the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)—has struggled to meet the needs of its participants. Established as a successor to post-World War II assimilation efforts, the AMEP has been delivering free English lessons to migrants for nearly eight decades, with current funding around $350 million annually.

An audit by the Australian National Audit Office two years ago criticized the program’s administration, describing it as overly bureaucratic and lacking effective oversight. The review found contractors were only required to report attendance numbers, not progress in language acquisition, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services provided to the 50,000 to 60,000 migrants enrolled in the program.

In response, government officials consulted stakeholders and updated administrative frameworks; however, substantive reforms remain slow. The Albanese government has committed to a new AMEP business model, but this is not expected to take effect until 2029, raising questions about the program’s long-term efficacy.

A detailed look at Watson reveals that over half of its approximately 25,000 residents with poor English skills have lived in Australia for more than 20 years, suggesting challenges extend beyond recent arrivals. Historically, migrants from Lebanon and China have predominated locally, while nationally, the languages most commonly associated with limited English proficiency include Khmer, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Refugees under the humanitarian program tend to lag behind other groups in English skills and often reside in socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs where language barriers compound difficulties in securing employment.

Experts note that decades ago, migrants from southern Europe rapidly adopted English, driven by strong incentives linked to economic opportunity. Today, larger and more self-sufficient migrant communities tend to have weaker incentives to fully assimilate linguistically, which can limit their long-term social and economic mobility. Research consistently associates higher English proficiency with better employment outcomes and increased occupational flexibility.

Observers argue that reforming English-language teaching requires a shift in approach. Rather than viewing AMEP as a top-down, classroom-based system, the focus should return to original principles emphasizing immersion through everyday social and work interactions. Programs that engage employers, community organizations, churches, sports clubs, and volunteer groups could better create natural environments for language practice, addressing motivation and confidence as key factors in language learning.

The debate also reflects broader tensions over immigration policy and integration, with some critics suggesting that political and ideological considerations have hindered practical measures that support migrants. Proponents emphasize that integration does not mean erasing migrants’ original languages or cultures but should aim to expand their opportunities and social inclusion by improving English proficiency—an essential foundation for participation and success in Australian society.