Our Mission, Vision, and
National Mandate
Deafness Forum Australia is the national peak body representing the 3.6 million Australians living with hearing loss, ear disorders, and their families. We are the architects of a hearing-inclusive future.
The Unified Voice of the Hearing Sector
Founded in 1993, Deafness Forum Australia emerged from a simple but radical premise: that the diverse communities within the hearing sector, the Deaf, those who are hard of hearing, people with chronic ear diseases, and those with balance disorders, are more powerful when they speak with one voice.
Today, we represent a vast and vibrant community. Our membership includes individual consumers, their families, service providers, clinical researchers, and specialised technology developers. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that our advocacy is balanced, authoritative, and deeply informed by the lived realities of our community.
Our Vision
Our Core Objectives
Systemic Advocacy
Influencing federal and state legislation to improve accessibility, healthcare funding, and social protections.
Information Stewardship
Providing the community with independent, evidence-based information on hearing health, technology, and support services.
Community Empowerment
Building the capacity of our members to advocate for themselves and their local communities.
Research and Innovation
Partnering with global institutions to ensure Australia remains at the cutting edge of hearing health research and technological adoption.
Prevention and Education
Leading national awareness campaigns to reduce the incidence of preventable hearing loss through public education.
Our Impact
Australians we represent in policy submissions and parliamentary hearings.
Official government submissions made in the last 24 months.
Community members engaged through our “One-in-Six” network.
Lived Experience
Our advocacy is powered by the real stories of our members. Your experience helps us change laws.
Share Your StoryGLOBAL AFFILIATES
Three Decades of Impact
Deafness Forum Australia is established as the national peak body, following a decade of grassroots organising by consumer groups.
Led the successful campaign for the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) hearing health standards.
Launched the National Roadmap for Hearing Health in collaboration with the Federal Minister for Health, setting a 10-year strategic vision for the nation.
Celebrated our 30th Anniversary by hosting the National Hearing Health Forum at Parliament House, Canberra.
Governance and Accountability
As a registered charity and a Health Peak Advisory Body, we maintain the highest standards of organisational governance. Our Board of Directors is elected by our members and comprises individuals with diverse expertise in education, IT, healthcare, and governance; the majority of whom have lived experience of hearing loss.
We are primarily funded through programs managed by the Australian Government. This funding allows us to provide expert advice to the government, represent the community on national committees, and produce vital resources for the Australian public.
View our Annual Reports and FinancialsBecome a part of our legacy.
Joining Deafness Forum Australia isn’t just about membership—it’s about adding your weight to a national movement for equality.
