Public servants and community members interested in becoming Auslan interpreters are to be supported with free training.
Announcing the addition to the State’s Free TAFE list, Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney said helping more Victorians become Auslan interpreters would create a stronger and more diverse community.
“The work of Auslan interpreters during the pandemic showed just how critical this interpreting work is for the wider community,” Ms Tierney said.
“This boost to the interpreter workforce is a crucial step in better connecting Victorians who are deaf or hard of hearing and creating a more inclusive Victoria with a local pool of expert interpreters,” she said.
“This is an important investment that will have a ripple effect throughout our community by boosting the number of Auslan interpreters and making Victoria a more inclusive and diverse place.”
Ms Tierney said the Diploma of Auslan and the Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan stream) would be available fee-free from 2023.
The Minister said the Diploma, to be delivered by Melbourne Polytechnic, provided a foundation to students to become an Auslan interpreter.
“While the Advanced Diploma will be delivered by RMIT and is the recognised qualification to become a certified Auslan interpreter,” she said.
“The two courses build on the one-of-a-kind Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in Auslan offered at Melbourne Polytechnic.”
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Anthony Carbines said the fee-free Auslan courses would meet the specific language and cultural needs of students and broaden access to education and employment opportunities.
