Lane Cove is home to a vibrant and diverse community with over 20% of people coming from countries where English was not their first language.
Council's commitment to cultural diversity starts with the acknowledgment of the Cameraygal people as the original inhabitants of our area. The area which is now Lane Cove was originally inhabited by the Cameraygal people. Lane Cove celebrates culture and heritage through a number a festivals, events, programs, partnerships lead by our Cultural Action Plan.
Find out more about Lane Cove's diverse and constantly evolving community in this short clip.
Connect with your Community
To help people settle into the community, Council has developed a free guide to services, support and activities that may assist people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The guide is divided into Celebrate, Connect and Support; the three steps to enjoy being part of the Lane Cove Community!
- Celebrate – we love to celebrate cultural diversity here in Lane Cove and there's plenty of opportunity to get involved
- Connect – for those who are looking to connect with new friends or new experiences, there are details of community programs and local groups
- Support – for those who are trying to find the support services they need, we've included a section with local help to get you started
Welcome to Lane Cove – English version
Welcome to Lane Cove – Chinese Simplified
Welcome to Lane Cove – Hindi
Welcome to Lane Cove – Farsi
The English version is also available to collect in print from Lane Cove Library, Lane Cove Civic Centre (48 Longueville Road, Lane Cove) or you request one to be sent to you by emailing cultural@lanecove.nsw.gov.au.
Quick Reference Guide
To assist in settling in the community, quick reference guides on local services for newly arrived migrants are now available in English and selected community languages. The guides have been produced by the Lower North Shore Multicultural Network with financial assistance from Lane Cove Council and other lower north shore councils.
Your Path to Career Success: Tips to find Work
Your Path to Career Success: Tips for Migrants and Refugees to find work (2MB) gives practical advice, local contacts, resources and websites. The guide has a flowchart designed to take you through steps to find work with access to website links. A separate Flow Chart with the full web addresses listed can also be printed.
Renting a home
At the start of every tenancy, the landlord or agent must give you a copy of a Fair Trading publication called the New tenant checklist. This fact sheet contains important information to be aware of before signing a new tenancy agreement. Read the checklist carefully and ask your landlord or agent about anything you do not understand.
This checklist has been translated into the following community languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional) , Dari, Dinka, Farsi/Persian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tibetan, Thai, Tongan, Turkish and Vietnamese
Services for migrants and residents from the CALD Community
English Conversation Classes in Lane Cove
These English Conversation classes are for people who would like to improve their English conversation skills and for whom English is a second language. Volunteers will help you to have everyday conversations as well as to learn more about Australian society and customs.
Find out more about English Conversation Classes
Location: Lane Cove Library, Library Walk
Bookings: 9911 3593
Learning and Practising English
Lower North Shore have developed a directory for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners to find English classes that suit their needs. This directory includes a map and lists contact details for:
- English Conversion Classes
- Accredited (formal) English Classes – Industry Specific
- English for Employment and Study Classes
For more information go to The Directory of Classes on the Lower North Shore
TIS Translation Service
TIS is a free 24hour government service providing language assistance in the various community languages.
More information about procedures for accessing this service can be viewed on the TIS Information Sheet
If you need to speak to someone at Council but have difficulty speaking English, ask a Council staff member to contact TIS.
Contact: 131 450
Help for newly arrived migrants
Sydney Multicultural Community Services
Sydney Multicultural Community Services (Sydney MCS) is a community-based, not for profit organisation, specialising in service provision for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Sydney MCS provides free services to newly arrived refugees and migrants and is funded by the Australian government to deliver the Settlement Services Program (SSP), which involves: casework, community development and migration assistance. Sydney MCS provides:
- Regular meet ups with various ethnic specific groups and supports these groups with information, referral to appropriate services and encourages them to become self-sufficient.
- Settlement Service Programs (SSP), which involves: casework, community development and migration assistance
Contact: 9955 3952: 96 Bank Street, North Sydney 96 Bank Street, North Sydney - www.sydneymcs.org.au
Australian and NSW Government information - available in community languages
• Immigration & Citizenship
• Australian Taxation Office – tax information
• Beginning a Life in Australia – welcomes newly-arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants to Australia – available in 37 community languages
• Centrelink – information on government financial assistance and employment
• Office of Fair Trading – covers topics such as buying a car, renting and credit
• The Adult Migrant English Service – English language courses for newly arrived migrants
• State Library of NSW – information about public libraries & language collections in New South Wales
•Roads and Maritime Services – Everything you need to know about getting, renewing and replacing a driver or rider licence in NSW.\
• Road Users Handbook (PDF files) – in English as well as Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese.
