The Community Language Allowance Scheme (CLAS) is a program where staff who possess the ability to speak and read a community language may nominate themselves to assist in their Department's communication with non-English speaking clients.

An allowance of $523p.a. may be paid to staff who speak a community language (such as Arabic, Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese) and who, if nominated by their Department, pass the CLAS language examination.

The Cabinet Office will nominate those staff who are required to use their language skills in the course of their employment.

Officers who wish to apply for the CLAS allowance should contact Ms. Michele Birkinsh.7.w, telephone Ext. 4006, for nomination forms and details on nomination procedures.

Director

Branch: NRB 
DATE: 27/2/90