ASLIA Calling for Expressions of Interest for Deaf Relay Interpreters

NABS has funded ASLIA to create a Deaf Relay Interpreter test. The test will be trialled soon. It is on video (like NAATI tests) and has 2 dialogues plus some ethics and cultural questions. This test is designed to check the skills of Relay Interpreters who work with deaf clients who are not fluent in Auslan (e.g. recent immigrants, or have grown up in an isolated communication environment, or have some developmental disability etc).

We are planning to do the testing in May / June this year. First, we need to know how many Deaf Relay Interpreters are interested in sitting for this test - then we can work out where the testing will be done and exactly how much it will cost.

At the moment, most Deaf Relay Interpreters do not have the chance to get qualifications (e.g. NAATI, TAFE Diploma) for their work. So, it is hard for employers (e.g. NABS & Deaf Societies) to judge the standard of their Deaf interpreting staff.

If you are interested in putting your name down for the testing, please email Della Goswell ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) to let her know by Monday 12th March. We just want to know rough numbers and locations at this stage (Expressions of interest).

After we know who is interested, we will contact you to let you know the locations for testing, plus the dates and the cost. You can then decide if you want to go ahead or not. There may only be 2 or 3 testing locations in Australia.

We know some Relay Interpreters have already done some training (e.g. WA, VIC, NSW). Most of these courses were not for a qualification – the students got a Statement of Attainment only (VIC & NSW). If you did a course in VIC or NSW and you wish to apply for work with NABS in future, then you still need to sit the test. However in WA, the TAFE course was a full Diploma course, so if you have already passed the WA course, you do NOT have to sit for the test – NABS will recognise your Diploma and accept it instead of the test.

PLEASE CONTACT DELLA GOSWELL BY MONDAY 12th MARCH IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

The DRIC Project is funded by NABS
We look forward to hearing from you.

Jemina Napier ASLIA National Vice-President/Project Manager
Della Goswell ASLIA National DRIC Project Officer