Discover more about Auslan

Auslan (Australian sign language) is the language of Australia’s deaf community. It uses hand, arm and body movements to communicate meaning. For children who are deaf or hard of hearing, learning Auslan as soon as possible after diagnosis can support the development of important language and communications skills.

When children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn sign language, it doesn’t stop them from learning vocal language. In fact, it supports it.

Young babies can start to communicate their needs using sign language even before they can talk.

Studies have shown that babies taught both spoken and sign language achieve the usual developmental milestones in both languages in a similar time-frame to norms established in monolingual children.

Young children learn sign language at the same time and pace as any other language

Like other sign languages used around the world, Auslan was developed by and for people in the deaf community. Auslan was not created by an individual at a single point in time it has evolved over almost 200 years of use! It is linked to British Sign Language, which was probably first used in Australia when deaf people came here from Britain in the 1790s.

The name ‘Auslan’ was coined by Trevor Johnston, author of the first Auslan dictionary, in the early 1980s, but the language itself is much older.

Auslan providers:

There are many ways to develop Auslan skills with your family - on-line, face to face and by connecting with families for meet ups. We have collected a list of providers - see below:

National:

Anytime Auslan 0412388944 bookings@anytimeauslan.com.au PO Box 56 Nerang QLD 4211

Auslan Tutor Online (FB) info@auslantutoronline.com.au  Bendigo VIC 

Deaf Society 1800 893 855 info@deafsociety.com 4/69 Phillip Street Parramatta NSW 2150

Superprof gday@superprof.com Australia Wide   

Teaching All Over 0404-695174  P.O. Box 339 Tumbarumba NSW 2653

Deaf Services: https://www.deafservices.org.au/services/Education/Auslan-for-families

Expression Australia: https://expression.com.au/services/auslan

Learn Auslan: https://learnauslan.com.au/

SignPlanet: http://www.signplanet.net/AuslanClasses/AuslanClasses.asp

Next Sense Auslan Tutor: https://www.nextsense.org.au/apps-and-resources/auslan-tutor

South Australia:

Sign Language Australia 0431931808 38 Oak Avenue Tonsley SA 5042

Can:Do 4Kids - Welland 08 8100 8200 59-61 Grange Road Welland SA 5007

Can:Do 4Kids - North Adelaide 08 8267 9299 Shop SP036 Colonnades Shopping Centre, Lot 54 Beach Road Noarlunga Centre SA 5158

Can:Do 4Kids - Noarlunga 08 8267 9200 185 Melbourne Street North Adelaide SA 5006

Western Australia

Auslan in the West info@auslaninthewest.com.au  Busselton WA 6280

Access Plus WA Deaf - Head Office (08) 9441 2677 enquiry@acccessplus.org.au 34 Dodd Street Wembley WA 6014

Access Plus WADeaf - Belmont (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 105 Daly Street Belmont WA 6104

Access Plus WADeaf - Mandurah (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 41 Ormsby Terrace Mandurah WA 6210

Access Plus WADeaf - Cockburn (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 62 Aurora Drive Atwell WA 6164

Access Plus WADeaf - Midland (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 135 Suffolk Street Caversham WA 6055

Access Plus WADeaf - Currambine (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 64 Delamere Avenue Currambine WA 6028

Access Plus WADeaf - North Beach (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 7a Kitchener Street North Beach WA 6020

Access Plus WADeaf - Wembley (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 66 Constellation Drive Ocean Reef WA 6020

Access Plus WADeaf - Ocean Reef (08) 9441 2677 Training@accessplus.org.au 34 Dodd Street Wembley WA 6014

Victoria

Roberts (The Auslan Company) 0477 979 748 learnauslan.com.au 174 Princes Highway Pakenham VIC 3810

Auslan in the West info@auslaninthewest.com.au  VIC 

Auslan Connections 1300 010 877 auslanconnections@expression.com.au Level 4, 340 Albert Street East Melbourne VIC 3002

Deaf Connected, https://www.deafconnected.com.au/learn-auslan/

Melbourne polytechnic: https://www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/certificate-ii/auslan/

Diamond Valley Learning Centre: https://www.dvlc.org.au/courses/sign-language-for-beginners/

Deaf Children Australia: https://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/what-we-do

Queensland

Deaf Services - Auslan Connections (Interpreter Bookings) 1300 010 877 qld@auslanconnections.com.au

New South Wales

Deaf Society - Central Coast 1800 893 855 info@deafsociety.com 28 William Street Gosford NSW 2250

Deaf Society - Parramatta (02) 8833 3600 info@deafsociety.com Suite 401, Level 4 Phillip St Parramatta NSW 2150

Deaf Society - Hunter 02 4032 5507 newcastle@deafsociety.com The Place - Charlestown Community Centre Frederick St Charlestown NSW 2290

Deaf Society - Northern NSW 1800893855 info@deafsociety.com 22 Conway Street Lismore NSW 2480

Deaf Society - South Coast Office 1800893855 info@deafsociety.com 17 Auburn Street Wollongong NSW 2500