SBS Audio introduces ‘Australia Explained’ for new migrants – SBS’s flagship Settlement Guide service for new migrants has been rebranded to Australia Explained with an updated look and feel representing the many faces of contemporary Australia, as net migration soars to its highest ever level of 400,000 people in 2022-23.
Published weekly in over 30 languages, this cross-platform media offering across articles, podcasts and videos offers practical, multilingual information and resources on employment, housing, health, education, emergency essentials and more.
Most recently this has included multilingual explainers on the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum, giving new migrants the opportunity to access accurate and balanced information, hear First Nations perspectives, and understand their eligibility to vote (view).
SBS Director of Audio and Language Content, David Hua, said:
“SBS is committed to supporting new migrants to successfully settle and live well in Australia. No matter what language you speak or where you come from, it’s important for everyone to feel welcomed and connected and that they are part of society.
“Through essential services like Australia Explained which is available in over 30 languages, SBS provides practical information to assist with full participation in everyday life, better understanding of multicultural Australia, and building a greater sense of social cohesion.”
Last month Australia Explained won the EMPA Award for Excellence in Emergency Communications for its multilingual Special Edition Emergency series. Aimed at increasing awareness and community resilience, the 10 episodes cover common natural hazards, risk prevention, emergency alerts, and how to access local emergency services and training.
This month the service has expanded to include SBS’s newest languages Bislama (predominantly spoken in Vanuatu) and Telugu (predominantly spoken in India) to reach even more migrants needing support to settle in Australia.
“This marks a significant milestone for SBS as we venture into broadcasting in the Bislama language for the very first time which will extend to dedicated Australia Explained services. I’m excited to help serve as a bridge between the local community and broader Australian society by delivering content that educates, enriches and helps make life that much easier for new migrants,”
– said Albert James, SBS Bislama Content Producer.
Another one of SBS’s essential services, Learn English, is geared towards adults wanting to improve their English. Free and developed in partnership with teaching experts, the online materials span videos with subtitles in over 18 languages, worksheets and fortnightly podcasts. This includes the recently launched Meet Leila and Ziad series for conversational English and the Living with Aussie Wildlife series which has received over 224,000 plays.
Connect with Australia Explained at sbs.com.au/AustraliaExplained.
Visit Learn English at sbs.com.au/LearnEnglish
All SBS Audio content is delivered via its website and app which can be downloaded via the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android. Selected SBS Audio content is also available wherever audiences consume podcasts and radio streams, including Apple Podcasts, LiSTNR, Spotify and TuneIn.
Media Release – SBS
TV Central SBS content HERE
