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Each year on April 13, Australians come together to recognise and celebrate National Auslan Day, a day that honours the language, culture, history, and community of deaf Australians.
The date marks a defining moment in Australia’s linguistic history: the publication of the first Auslan dictionary in 1989. This milestone gave the Australian Deaf community a name for their language and formally recognised its unique visual-gestural grammar.
Auslan is not simply a system of communication. It is a complete language, developed over generations, carrying identity, culture, and connection within the Deaf community. Its recognition as a community language in 1991 marked an important step forward, but the work of ensuring access and understanding continues.
In recent years, themes such as #AuslanGain have invited reflection on what has been achieved through preserving and strengthening the language, from increased visibility to greater access across education, media, and public life.
In 2026, National Auslan Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate progress, but to look ahead.
At Deafness Forum Australia, we see Auslan as central to equity. Access to language is access to participation in education, employment, healthcare, and community life.
This year, we are turning our attention to one of the most critical enablers of that access: the Auslan interpreting workforce.
Strengthening education pathways for Auslan interpreters is essential to meeting growing demand and ensuring that Deaf and hard of hearing Australians can fully engage in all aspects of society. This is an area where sustained focus, investment, and national alignment are needed, and it is a conversation we will be advancing in the months ahead.
National Auslan Day is also a moment for broader participation.
Whether it is learning a new sign, engaging with Deaf creators, supporting Deaf-led organisations, or simply building awareness, every action contributes to a more inclusive and connected Australia.
Because when Auslan is recognised, supported, and strengthened, we all benefit.
