In 2022, a certified interpreter was relocated to the Northern Territory through a joint effort between Deaf Connect and the Northern Territory Government. Prior to their arrival, the state had been without a full-time interpreter since 2019.
While the Northern Territory’s experience of relying on fly-in fly-out interpreters is an extreme case, it is not unique, particularly for regional communities.
Despite consistent advocacy and support from state governments, the fundamental issue that Deaf Australians have historically faced has continued to this day: a critical shortage of qualified interpreters.
The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme unlocked new opportunities for Auslan interpreters, necessitating their role in many more social and day-to-day situations. However, supply has failed to meet demand, and the workforce is struggling to keep up.
Addressing this shortage is complex, with challenges including the lack of a coordinated national strategy and inconsistent state-level efforts to incentivise interpreter training. Without a unified approach, the sector will struggle to grow the workforce necessary to meet rising demand now and into the future.
From Certificate to Certification – a Complex Journey
Education pathways for would-be interpreters are more comprehensive than ever before and are branching to better suit a range of careers in the Auslan workforce, including Deaf interpreting and Auslan translation.
And the student interest is there.
In recent years, the visibility of Auslan interpreters, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to a surge of interest in learning the language. As interpreters became fixtures on screens, conveying important updates from State Premiers, Auslan was brought into the national spotlight. This increased visibility has driven more people, including those without direct ties to the Deaf community, to pursue careers in interpreting.
During the pandemic, Deaf Connect enrolments in Auslan courses surged to record numbers, reflecting the growing prominence of sign language in Australian media. In recent years, Deaf Connect and other providers have sought to meet this demand by offering qualifications from Certificate II in Auslan through to the Diploma of Interpreting.aw more than 4,500 students complete non-accredited beginner Auslan courses.
These students aren’t all destined to become certified interpreters: many are looking for employment in a related field, or studying for personal reasons such as communication with a Deaf family member or colleague. For those looking to acquire a certification, the process typically takes over six years, with even more time needed for higher-level certifications. While interest in Auslan is at an all-time high, the challenge now lies in finding enough qualified teachers to meet the growing demand.
Authentic Learning: the Importance of Deaf Teachers
Auslan, with its rich cultural history, is not just a language but a vital part of Deaf identity. It is essential that Auslan is taught by members of the Deaf community, who bring not only linguistic skills but also a deep understanding of Deaf culture, history, and values. This ensures that the language is delivered in a culturally affirming manner.
Filling these teaching positions takes time and requires a qualified workforce and further investment in the creation of more job opportunities.
A coordinated national effort to incentivise such roles could significantly increase the number of Auslan teachers, allowing more students to participate and ultimately producing a greater number of interpreters.
We recognise and appreciate the efforts of governments at all levels to invest in the future Auslan workforce. However, to meet growing demand and enhance the quality of education, a more coordinated approach is necessary to
increase investment in Auslan training and teacher development.
Encouraging future interpreters with free courses taught by qualified Deaf community members is an essential step in increasing enrolment and participation. This ensures the language is taught in a way that is both linguistically accurate and deeply rooted in Deaf cultural and social contexts.
The New Normal: Training and the Role of the NDIS
As we strive to train the future Auslan and interpreting workforce, it’s essential to acknowledge the shifting landscape shaped by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS has not only highlighted the existing demand for Auslan interpreters but has also intensified the challenges surrounding access to services.
While the need for interpreters has steadily increased over time, the number of certified interpreters has not kept pace, exacerbating the shortage.
Australia’s largest Auslan interpreting agencies mandate that interpreters must hold current NAATI certification to be eligible to work with clients funded through the NDIS. This requirement is in place to ensure that agencies can guarantee NDIS participants receive high-quality interpreting services that meet professional standards. It also guarantees that both Deaf and hearing individuals can trust the communication process and have assurance that their conversations are being accurately and reliably conveyed.
The NDIS was introduced at a time when there was already a shortage of Auslan interpreters. To this day, there is still no national strategy to address the shortage associated with the scheme, even though the training required for NAATI certification takes significantly longer compared to the training for other disability support roles.
As industry leader and Deaf community advocate, the late Leonie Jackson stated, “this extended timeframe for training contrasts with other disability supports, where adaptive
communication techniques can be learned more rapidly. The interpreter shortage is already affecting the timeliness of services. When interpreters are unavailable, appointments may be postponed, and crucial opportunities missed.”
Auslan interpreters are often needed in high-stakes settings, such as medical appointments, legal proceedings, and educational environments, where precise communication can be life-changing. Addressing this shortage requires sustained investment in training and support to build a workforce capable of meeting the Deaf community’s unique needs.
Looking Ahead: The Need for a Unified Federal Approach
The response to the Auslan interpreter workforce shortage has varied significantly across Australian states. Here, we delve into some of the State Government approaches that have attempted to combat this issue.
- Victoria has introduced the Free TAFE program, which covers tuition fees for Auslan interpreting courses, including the Diploma of Auslan and related qualifications. This initiative aims to make training more accessible and reduce barriers to entry, benefiting many students and saving substantial amounts in tuition costs.
- The Northern Territory is investing nearly $450,000 over three years in the Auslan Interpreter and Scholarship Program. This aims to fast-track interpreter training and includes financial support and partnerships with key organisations to address needs in various sectors, including government services and emergency communications.
Building our Auslan workforce can start in the school system. New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia are incorporating Auslan into the school curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to learn Auslan from an early age. While increasing general knowledge of the language is great, there is no
- requirement for teachers to be fluent in Auslan, or for them to be Deaf community members. As a result, students are not being taught the language in a culturally appropriate way that pays tribute to the heritage, identity and culture of the Deaf community. Outside of any impacts on Deaf students, this may also have an adverse effect on their interest in the language and may not set students up for success, if they wished to pursue accredited courses outside of school.
- The Australian Capital Territory has assessed the need for Auslan accessibility in a nation-first Auslan Inquiry. However, the ACT Government’s response to the recommendations made by the inquiry was somewhat limited, avoiding commitment to the establishment of specific targets or expansion of training opportunities. Deaf organisations such as DeafACT have called out the ACT Government for their acceptance of just 1 out of the 25 recommendations made by the inquiry.
A Comprehensive National Strategy
As we tackle this pressing issue, it’s clear that a coordinated national effort is needed to address the shortage and prioritise training and support for Deaf educators. Investing in Auslan education is more than just filling roles: it’s about ensuring that every Australian has what they need to access equal opportunities and participate in society.
The establishment of consistent qualification standards and training pathways for interpreters across all states, along with coordinated national investment, could ensure that training and certification are accessible and affordable in the future. This approach would provide the coordination needed to increase interpreter supply across the country.
The shortage of Auslan interpreters isn’t just a statistic; it’s a real barrier to equal participation in society faced by many Deaf community members. Reflecting on the recent arrival of the first full-time certified interpreter in the Northern Territory, it’s important to remember
how crucial these professionals are, especially in regions that have been left behind for far too long.
The time for action is now. Together, we can build a framework that not only meets the needs of communities but also ensures that Auslan interpreters are ready and waiting to facilitate essential conversations everywhere.
By Deaf Connect Chief Services Officer, Brent Phillips.
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