Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) is one of the six focus areas in our Workplace Diversity Plan and one of six Employee Networks at Charles Sturt. It recognises people from different ethnic, nationality and language backgrounds, those with different religious and spiritual beliefs, and people who live within different societal structures and traditions.

Champions

Our CALD Champions advocate for and promote culture, faith and language matters amongst University stakeholders to progress cultural and linguistic diversity understanding and multi-faith inclusivity.

They support the university’s strategic objective of promoting a healthy, equitable and inclusive culture and outcomes within the Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2023-2025.

Associate Professor Koshila Kumar, Sub-Dean (Academic Development) & Director, Teaching Academy, Division of Learning and Teaching

"As a woman leader from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, I am committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and representation within the university. I care deeply about supporting others, building capacity, amplifying diverse voices, and helping to create spaces where colleagues feel seen, heard, respected, and valued."

Jelena Bogdanovic, Faculty Administration Manager, Faculty of Arts and Education

"When EDI published its EOI for a CALD Champion I felt it was an invitation to return home, to an area I was passionate about for a dozen years. I worked closely with fellow interpreters speaking 60+ languages. We developed the national policy on language services qualification and provision so that today public organisations across the country provide interpreter services free of charge. I'm happy to notice that there are lots of us here at CSU, from around the world, and look forward to meeting you, to exchanging mutual support and creative thoughts."

Dr Salma Arabi, Head of Discipline, Digital Health. School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences

"While my research interests focus on gender equity in the digital health workforce, it is my lived experience as a culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse woman that truly drives my passion for promoting and advocating for genuine inclusivity and understanding at Charles Sturt University."

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Employee Network

The CALD Employee Network aims to provide a safe place for people to connect with one another and create dialogue around diversity, workplace inclusion and belonging at Charles Sturt.

The network unites people who share an identity or lived experience, and those who support them or those who would like to learn more about their perspectives and experiences. It's also a forum to raise issues of importance, provide feedback and guide decisions around University priorities and initiatives that impact you.

If you have questions, please email edi@csu.edu.au or contact Carli Baker.

2025 meeting dates

21 October 2025 2pm Meeting invitation

Information, resources and support

We are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive and inclusive work environment for staff from diverse cultural, linguistic and faith backgrounds.

Campus facilities and spiritual support
We recognise Australia’s rich diversity of spiritual and cultural practices and endeavour to support the religious and cultural obligations of our employees.
Our campuses provide a range of inclusive spaces for staff and students of all faiths to use for prayer, reflection, meditation and contemplation. Facilities available on our campuses include:
- Albury-Wodonga: Gordon Beavan Building, Building 673, Room 111.
- Bathurst: Building 1454, Room 148.
- Dubbo: Building 901, Room 132.
- Orange: Building 1000, Room 202, Prayer Room. Building 1016, Room 101, Multifaith Room.
- Port Macquarie: Building 802, room 1180.
- Wagga Wagga: Building 472
View campus maps at FM Central.
There are also a number of faith-based initiatives on campuses including visits by local faith leaders and prayer groups. See Spirituality - Current Students for more information.
Flexible work

Charles Sturt strives to create a fair and inclusive workplace including offering flexible work arrangements that help staff to balance their work and life commitments while meeting the operational needs of the University.
Flexible hybrid, or remote work arrangements may be suitable for staff for a range of reasons, including to help comply with cultural and/or faith obligations.
See Workplace flexibility to learn about our guiding principles around staff flexibility and explore what options may be available to you.
Leave
In addition to the standard leave entitlements, Charles Sturt provides up to ten days per calendar year of special leave that can be utilised for a range of reasons including:
- to meet cultural or religious obligations of significance;
- for an employee who is a member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community to meet ceremonial obligations or prepare for or attend National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week functions
See Leave - People and Culture for further information.
Support and contact

Contact the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team if you need support or have questions.
Resources

Find out about Australia's cultural and ethnic diversity with data from the 2021 ABS Census.
Access a range of resources about culture and religion in Australia from the Diversity Council of Australia's website. You can log into this site with your Charles Sturt email.
Discrimination is against the law. Visit the Attorney General's website to find out more about your rights and responsibilities.
Read the Australian Human Rights Commission's guide on how to have conversations about racism.
Explore the Australian Government's 2024 Calendar of cultural and religious dates.