Australia is one of the most culturally diverse and prosperous societies in the world, and such heterogeneity or pluralism has both advantages and challenges. The Australian government must provide support to and for the integration of migrants, especially among those with a non-English-speaking background (NESB). Investments in information systems (IS) have resulted in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to raise public awareness of the countrys policies, programmes and services. However, communication issues have recently emerged between the governments online IS and the NESB migrants and their communities. Based on their increasing significance in Australias socio-economic and political landscape, it is necessary not only to identify and understand the needs of NESB migrants, but also to determine the barriers (both perceived and actual) that NESB migrants experience with regard to government online services (otherwise termed e-government).

Mohammad Mohammad is a Business Applications Analyst who served in the IT industries for 14 years, wherein he held senior management responsibilities in the areas of Management Information systems with several government organisations. Mohammad holds a Bachelor of Technology, Masters of Education (InfoTechs) and a PhD in Information Systems, Sydney