The Victorian Government has outlined its new plan for the provision of Australian Sign Language (Auslan) courses throughout the state.

The Victorian Auslan Training Consortium – led by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) in partnership with the Victorian Deaf Society (VicDeaf) and La Trobe University – will begin offering Certificate II and Diploma courses from July this year.  

Enrolments for these courses are now open through NMIT, with enrolments for Certificate III and IV courses to open in early 2014.

State Education Minister Peter Hall said the Coalition Government was responding to concerns raised by the Victorian deaf and hard of hearing community about an inadequate supply of interpreters and translators.

This followed a decision from the major Victorian provider of Auslan training, Kangan Institute, to cease offering the courses to new students from 2013.

“This new approach to Auslan training was developed after extensive consultation with the deaf and hard of hearing community and following an independent review of Auslan training and delivery in Victoria,” Mr Hall said.

“The training will be delivered in metropolitan and regional areas face-to-face and using communications technology, ensuring that all students have access to flexible and improved Auslan training.

“In addition, new arrangements have been put in place to reduce the barriers that existed for professionals to study Auslan, making these courses more widely available for all Victorians.