Supply-Demand Analysis of the Auslan Interpreter Workforce

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) has commissioned a research team from the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), UNSW Sydney, in partnership with Jen Blyth Consulting, Deaf Indigenous Community Consultancy and ARTD Consultants, to undertake a supply-demand analysis of the Auslan (Australin Sign Language) interpreter workforce.

Auslan is the visual spatial recognised language of the Australian d/Deaf Community.

This Deaf-led research aims to examine the supply of and demand for Auslan interpreters across Australia. These aims will be addressed using the following research methods:

1. Quantitative analysis of secondary data from organisations that employ, book and train Auslan interpreters.
2. Focus groups in Auslan with Deaf communities and key stakeholders across Australia, including Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
3. An online survey of Deaf and hearing people who need, use or book Auslan interpreters/translators; people who work as Auslan interpreters/translators or in the Auslan interpreting/translating sector; people who work in the Auslan interpreter/translator education and training sector; and people who are studying Auslan or Auslan interpreting.