North Metropolitan TAFE offers practical courses in Auslan (Australian Sign Language), which will enable you to communicate fluently, accurately, and effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing within the fields of education, welfare and community services.
We are the only college in Western Australia that offers all levels of Auslan qualifications, covering not only the language, but also the history and culture of the Australian Deaf community.
Course list
Certificate II in Auslan
An introduction to the deaf community and Australian Sign Language (Auslan)
Gain the basics of Auslan, deaf culture and learn to converse with deaf people.
Are you ready to learn a second language with a difference?
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language of the Deaf Community; it’s not a language, it’s a culture. Learning Auslan will allow you to converse with deaf people and help gain employment in teaching, childcare, community welfare, public service, and health positions.
When you complete the Certificate II in Auslan you'll have the basics of a new language, increasing your value as an employee or, with further training, looking at a career as an interpreter.
You will gain the knowledge and skills to communicate socially and in the workplace with simple Australian Sign Language (Auslan), and gain an understanding of deaf communities and culture. On completion you will be prepared for further formal Auslan language study.
Certificate III in Auslan
Sign up for more Auslan skills
You'll gain a greater understanding of deaf community principles and practices, and improved skills to be equipped for a variety of social and personal settings.
Build on your Auslan skills
This course builds on the Certificate II in Auslan and will provide you with the skills to sign in everyday social and personal contexts.
You will also gain an understanding of deaf community principles and practices, preparing you for a possible career working with Auslan signers/users.
Certificate IV in Auslan
Enhance your Auslan skills
Gain an in-depth knowledge of deaf protocol and develop the skills to customise your Auslan style to suit an audience or setting.
Expand your knowledge of Auslan
This Certificate IV provides an in-depth knowledge of deaf protocol and will develop your ability to adjust signing styles to suit a specified audience, including the skills needed to use Auslan in a range of unpredictable, more challenging tasks such as specialised workplace exchanges in personal, learning, social and community contexts.
You will also gain a thorough knowledge of deaf culture and customs and have the opportunity to gain employment in a role requiring Auslan qualifications.
Diploma of Auslan
Open the door to a world of opportunities
You'll be equipped with the in-depth skills needed to work in a wide range of complex settings and contexts. This course builds on the Certificate IV and provides greater employment opportunities.
Build on your Auslan skills to open up employment opportunities
This diploma will provide you with the skills to use Auslan in a range of specialised, complex and technical workplace exchanges across personal, learning, employment, social and community contexts. You will be able to gain employment in a role requiring knowledge of Auslan and use your skills in a wide range of contexts.
The Diploma of Auslan builds on Certificate IV in Auslan and provides a greater opportunity for employment in a role requiring Auslan comprehension.
Auslan Beginners Stage 1
Gain an insight into Auslan
This Beginners Auslan (Australian Sign Language) course will offer you an introduction to the language used in the Deaf community, as well as an insight into Deaf Culture.
Gain an insight into Auslan
This Beginners Auslan (Australian Sign Language) course will offer you an introduction to the language used in the Deaf community, as well as an insight into Deaf Culture.
You'll cover the alphabet, finger spelling, greetings, colours, transport, food and numbers.
Classes are practical and are taught by a native Auslan speaker.
This taster course may inspire you to apply for the accredited Auslan courses offered by North Metropolitan TAFE - from the Certificate II right up to a Diploma in Auslan.
Auslan Beginners Stage 2
Build on the skills learnt in Auslan Beginners Stage 1
You will learn practical skills taught by a native Auslan speaker.
Continue on your Auslan journey
This course will build on the skills learnt in Auslan Beginners Stage 1. With practical classes taught by a native Auslan speaker this continuation short course may inspire you to apply for an accredited Auslan course.
North Metropolitan TAFE offers qualifications from the Certificate II right up to a Diploma in Auslan.
Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan - English)
The need for Auslan interpreters exists across many sectors
If you are proficient in Auslan and have some experience in interpreting this qualification could help you find work as an Auslan - English interpreter. It focuses on ethics of interpreting and concepts to assist in interpreting preparation.
Do you want to put your Auslan skills to good use?
This course has a focus on ethics of interpreting and concepts to assist in interpreting preparation. It is best suited to people who have some experience in interpreting and have completed a Diploma of Auslan. With this qualification and some experience behind you, you could find yourself working in community organisations and/or the private sector.
The need for Auslan interpreters exists across every sector including:
- Health environments - assisting people with hospital appointments, clinics, specialist appointments, hospice care
- Social welfare - helping people access services at organisations relating to the Department of Human Services (eg Centrelink, Medicare, Immigration etc)
- Legal - providing help with court appearances and documents, police interviews and prisons
- Educational - at all levels of education, formal and informal.
This Diploma will specialise in Auslan - English interpreting.