Posted on: September 22, 2026 by admin
There are many potential barriers the deaf community in Australia faces, particularly when it comes to accessing education, employment, and public resources. That’s why having access to a high-quality Auslan interpreter is so important. Unlike interpreters for spoken language, they are often placed alongside a speaker, providing real-time interpretation. That’s why you’ll see them close by during press conferences conducted by politicians or during public announcements.
Whilst Auslan is widely recognised, Speak Your Language understands there are many misconceptions about sign languages and aims to provide factual information to uphold equity. Whether you’re a business owner looking to provide equal opportunities to staff or a person living with a hearing impairment, SYL will find a way to support you.
Auslan stands for Australian Sign Language, and incorporates a range of hand movements and facial expressions to convey meaning. According to the latest census, in 2021, Auslan is used by 16,242 Australians who are deaf or have hearing impairments. This figure has likely grown significantly, from 11,683 in the 2016 census. This year’s census will likely reaffirm the prevalence of Auslan in Australian society and, in turn, the need for quality interpreters.
It’s important to note that there are about 300 different sign languages used across the globe. Like spoken languages, they were created through close contact within a community as a means of communication. This creates distinct differences between sign languages like Auslan and American Sign Language (ASL). It makes sense that there are so many variations, but many people assume that there’s a universal sign language.
Sign languages can be categorised into families that share similar manual alphabets and grammar. Auslan is part of the BANZSL family, which includes British, Australian, and New Zealand Sign Languages. Other sign groups include the Francosign family, which is derived from Old French Sign Language. It includes American, Dutch, French, Flemish, French-Belgian, and Italian sign languages. Although these groups can be helpful for understanding the makeup and spread of sign languages, they are not a reliable indicator of which sign language someone will use. There are also a variety of different dialects of each type of sign. As such, in North Queensland, Aslan has evolved to incorporate some indigenous sign languages. Sign languages are incredibly localised, making it difficult to find quality interpreters who understand the dialect and the local spoken language.
An Auslan interpreter needs to understand more than just the direct translation of signs. They need to be able to grasp the contextual meanings behind them and apply them to a specific spoken language.
To be a qualified interpreter, one must be fluent in both Auslan and English. This may require formal education or immersion into a deaf community. After this, the individual must become NAATI (National Accreditation Authority For Translators And Interpreters) accredited, which can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years.
Auslan interpreting is complex and must be tailored to the preferences of the person with hearing impairments. Because of these measures, the deaf community is facing an interpreter shortage.
At Speak Your Language, all our interpreters are NAATI-accredited and are experts in Auslan. Our interpreters also specialise in deafblind interpreting, which is a specific interpreting method tailored towards those who are both visually and hearing impaired. It includes practices like visual framing, where the signing is restricted to a small area, and tactile interpreting, where the person’s hands are placed on the interpreter’s. SYL’s interpreters work everywhere from the boardroom to the classroom, so you can trust that we will meet your specific interpreting needs.
SYL is equipped to handle interpretations across a range of disciplines, including legal, medical, rehabilitation, financial, and educational. We empower people with a hearing impairment, overcome communication barriers, and ensure people with disabilities have equal access to opportunity.
Contact us or book an appointment with one of our Auslan interpreters.
