SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
LSR2026_MarketingImage_1920x1080.jpg

9 min read

SBS Language Services Review : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Published

Source: SBS

WHAT IS THE SBS LANGUAGE SERVICES REVIEW?

The Language Services Review is a process undertaken by SBS to examine our language offering and ensure our services reflect and meet the needs of Australia’s rapidly changing and increasingly diverse society. The Review occurs every five years in conjunction with the 2026 Australian Census and considers factors such as the Australian Census data, audience listening habits, digital platform use, demographic trends and financial parameters.

Why does SBS review its language services?

As part of SBS’s commitment to meeting the needs of today’s Australia and recognising the evolving needs of Australia into the future, SBS undertakes a Language Services Review. Guided by its Charter, SBS undertakes a regular review of its audio and language offering, including services on radio, SBS On Demand, podcasting and other digital platforms, to ensure it continues to reflect the needs of Australia’s diverse communities. Regularly updating the services enables SBS to better serve Australia’s large, high-needs and emerging communities.

What is the timeline for the Language Services Review?

The SBS Language Services Review contains the following stages:

5 October-13 November 2026:

Public consultation to seek feedback about the draft Selection Criteria. The final Selection Criteria will be used in conjunction with 2026 Australian Census data to determine the languages which will be serviced by SBS Audio.

May 2027:

Publish final Selection Criteria

June 2027:

2026 Australian Census data released

September 2027:

Changes to SBS Audio Services announced, including revised languages to be serviced and how each language service will be delivered – e.g. via AM/FM, digital radio, digital television, online and/or podcast.

December 2027:

Revised SBS language services implemented

SELECTION CRITERIA

What are the Language Selection Criteria?

The language Selection Criteria is a set of guidelines that will be applied to the Census data to help determine which languages are part of SBS’s language services across radio, SBS On Demand, podcasting, social media and other digital platforms.

SBS publishes the draft Selection Criteria and invites audiences and communities to provide feedback that will help determine the final Selection Criteria which will be shared before the 2026 Australian Census results are released. All feedback received will be considered before the final Selection Criteria is published prior to the 2026 Australian Census data being released in 2027.

Where can I view the draft Selection Criteria?

The draft Selection Criteria will be published on the SBS Language Services Review website – sbs.com.au/languageservicesreview - on Monday 5 October.

Why do we publish the Selection Criteria before the Census data is released?

SBS wants to ensure the process of reviewing SBS’s language services is objective, open and transparent. Finalising the Selection Criteria prior to the release of the Census data allows a framework to be in place to select languages, independent of the actual numbers released in the Census information.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

What is the public consultation?

The public consultation is a set period of time where SBS invites public feedback and input on the draft Selection Criteria. SBS is committed to ensuring the Language Services Review is open, objective and transparent; the public consultation is an opportunity for audiences and communities to have their say and help shape the future of SBS language services.

When will public consultation be held?

The public consultation period will run from 5 October to 13 November 2026. The draft Selection Criteria will be published on the SBS website so that feedback can be provided via an online submission form.

How can I participate in the public consultation?

To participate in the public consultation visit: sbs.com.au/languageservicesreview

You will find the draft Selection Criteria and a feedback form on the webpage. Please provide your feedback via the form and submit it online by Friday 13 November 2026.

Can communities campaign for a particular language to be retained or introduced?

Communities are welcome to provide feedback and make submissions during the public consultation. All feedback will be considered as part of the process for finalising the Selection Criteria. However, decisions about which languages SBS services will be informed by the Selection Criteria and 2026 Census data, alongside audience needs and available resources.

Can feedback be submitted in languages other than English?

English is the preferred language for feedback, however we will accept feedback in other languages. It will be independently translated.

Does all feedback have to be submitted online?

Online submissions are preferred, however SBS will also accept written feedback, postmarked by Friday 13 November via postal mail to the following address:

Attention: SBS Audio Language Services Review

SBS Locked Bag 028

Crows Nest

NSW, 1585

What if I want to amend, remove or have a question on the feedback I have submitted?

Please email the languageservicesreview@sbs.com.au and we will respond.

If you submitted your feedback online, please include the Unique Reference Number that is assigned to you once your feedback has been submitted.

What if I don’t understand the Draft Selection Criteria provided in English?

Please email the languageservicesreview@sbs.com.au and we will respond.

Will late responses or requests for extensions be considered?

Any requests for extensions to this timeline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can we see the feedback from the public consultation?

For privacy reasons we are unable to share individual or group feedback. However, all feedback will be considered in developing the final language Selection Criteria.

Does Public Consultation really impact the Selection Criteria?

Yes, it does. In previous reviews, several changes were made to the Selection Criteria before it was finalised based on feedback received during the consultation period.

THE CENSUS

When will the Census data be released?

The 2026 Australian Census data will be released in stages from June 2027.

It will be available on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ website: abs.gov.au/census

LANGUAGE SERVICES

How will SBS develop the new language offering?

SBS will use the contribution of our audience and community representatives to finalise the Selection Criteria. The language list will then be determined by applying the 2026 Australian Census data to the finalised Selection Criteria.

Once the language services are decided, is it final?

The revised language services will be announced in September 2027 and implemented by December 2027. SBS will determine the final language offering and how each service is delivered, taking into consideration the 2026 Australian Census data, the final Selection Criteria, audience needs and available resources.

Does SBS already have a list of the languages it will service?

No. The final language Selection Criteria will be applied to 2026 Australian Census data to help determine which languages SBS will service in the future. The SBS radio schedule and other language offerings will be decided after this process is complete.

How many languages will SBS Audio service after the review?

It is too early to say how many languages will be serviced, however SBS is committed to remaining one of the world’s most linguistically diverse broadcasters, producing content in many languages.

Will the Review consider languages spoken by First Nations communities?

Yes. The Review will consider all languages reported in the 2026 Australian Census, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. First Nations languages have also been considered in previous Language Services Reviews.

How does SBS consider smaller, emerging and high-needs communities?

The Language Services Review considers communities of different sizes, stages of growth and levels of need. The Selection Criteria sets out how these factors will be assessed using 2026 Australian Census data and other authoritative sources. All criteria will be considered together when determining SBS’s future language services.

When will the updated services be implemented?

The revised language services will be implemented in December 2027.

When will the outcome for individual language programs be made public?

SBS is planning to announce the revised services in September 2027; this will include the outcome for individual language programs.

Why can't SBS provide services in every language spoken in Australia?

SBS provides services in more than 60 languages. As a public broadcaster, SBS operates within its available resources and cannot provide a dedicated service for every language community in Australia. The Language Services Review helps SBS determine where its language services can have the greatest impact for audiences, while considering the needs of large, emerging and high-needs communities.

Will SBS stop providing services in some existing languages as a result of the Review?

The Language Services Review may result in changes to the languages SBS currently services and/or how those services are delivered. It is too early to say what those changes may be. The outcome will be determined following the application of the final Selection Criteria to the 2026 Australian Census data and consideration of other relevant factors.

What do I do if I have more questions about the Language Services Review?

If you have any questions, please email languageservicesreview@sbs.com.au