Diploma of Auslan

The Diploma of Auslan at Melbourne Polytechnic is a two-year qualification for people who want to work in Auslan and the Deaf community. Auslan is the sign language of the Australian Deaf community, and it has its own grammar, vocabulary and culture. You start with the basics of handshape, location, movement and facial expression, then build up to holding real conversations at a natural pace. By the end, you should be able to sign and understand Auslan across everyday, social and workplace settings.

Like other Australian diplomas, this course is made up of units of study, each with a set credit point value, delivered across semesters. You will spend most of your time in practical signing classes and language labs, not sitting in lectures. Assessment is usually a mix of signed presentations, conversations with teachers and peers, video assignments and written tasks about Deaf culture and community. Some units cover interpreting ethics, the history of the Australian Deaf community, and how to work alongside Deaf professionals. Work-integrated learning is part of the deal: you complete a placement or practical component where you use Auslan with Deaf people in community, education or service settings. That placement is where the language stops being an exercise and becomes a working skill.

The skills you pick up are specific and portable. You learn to hold a conversation in Auslan, adjust your signing for different audiences, work with an interpreter rather than through one, and understand the cultural rules that sit behind the language. You also get a working knowledge of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Disability Discrimination Act and the access rights Deaf people rely on. These are the things employers actually ask about when they hire someone with Auslan skills.

This diploma suits a few different people. Some students come in with no signing at all and want a career change. Others have Deaf family members or friends and want to communicate properly. Some are already working in education, health, community services or customer-facing roles and need Auslan to do their job well. Entry is generally open to people with Year 12 or equivalent, and you do not need prior signing experience. If you are an international applicant, you will need to meet English requirements, usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Melbourne Polytechnic's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Check the official course page and the CRICOS register for current fees, intake dates and entry requirements.

• Auslan support worker in schools, TAFEs and universities, supporting Deaf students in the classroom.
• Disability support worker with organisations that provide services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients under the NDIS.
• Community services officer in local councils, health services and not-for-profits that run programmes for Deaf people.
• Education support officer in primary and secondary schools with Deaf students on enrolment.
• Customer service and reception roles in organisations that want a signing staff member on the front desk.
• Pathway to further study in interpreting, education, social work or community services, where Auslan is a required or useful skill.

Most graduates work in education, health, disability services, community organisations and government. If you want to become a qualified Auslan interpreter, this diploma is a common starting point before further interpreting study. International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. Confirm visa conditions and course details on the official page.