Energy is essential!
25 September 2025
Energy experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse people in Canberra
Multicultural ACT residents deserve to benefit from energy policies and
supports in the same way as other Canberrans. However, they may face
additional barriers that restrict their ability to do so.
The current context of a rapidly changing energy system presents an
opportunity to meaningfully incorporate the needs of Canberrans into the
current energy market and its underlying rules. This should include the needs
culturally and linguistically diverse Canberrans.
Drawing on local insights, community engagement, and existing literature, this
report provides a brief examination of:
• the impetus for considering the role of culture when designing energy policy
and services
• the development of the term culturally and linguistically diverse or CALD
• the barriers culturally and linguistically diverse people face in gaining equitable
access to energy services and supports
• the views of community service providers in the ACT on the energy
experiences of their clients including culturally and linguistically diverse people
• a snapshot of culturally and linguistically diverse people in Canberra
• the degree to which the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse clients are
considered in communications by retailers and government and public bodies.
The report concludes with recommendations on how some of the issues can be addressed.
The factsheet provides a brief summary of the report and its recommendations.
