Effective communication with healthcare providers and legal professionals is essential—and it’s your right. As a deaf Australian, you’re entitled to have an Auslan interpreter present for medical appointments, legal proceedings, and other important interactions. However, many people don’t know how to request interpreters, when to book them, who pays, or what to expect. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about accessing Auslan interpreting services for your medical and legal needs.
Why Interpreters Matter
Before diving into the practicalities, it’s worth understanding why having an Auslan interpreter is so important.
Patient Safety and Informed Consent
In medical settings, miscommunication can have serious consequences. You need to:
- Understand your diagnosis accurately
- Comprehend treatment options and their risks
- Give informed consent to procedures
- Follow medication instructions precisely
- Ask questions and express concerns
- Communicate symptoms clearly
Relying on lip-reading, written notes, or family members as interpreters introduces risk. Professional interpreters ensure accurate, complete communication that protects your health and safety.
Legal Rights and Fair Treatment
In legal matters, understanding and being understood isn’t just important—it’s a fundamental right. Legal proceedings require precise communication about:
- Your rights
- Charges or legal issues
- Legal advice and options
- Testimony and evidence
- Contracts and agreements
- Court proceedings
Using professional interpreters ensures fair treatment and access to justice.
Understanding the Interpreting System in Australia
Australia has several systems for accessing Auslan interpreters, depending on your age, circumstances, and the setting.
For Medical Appointments
National Sign Language Program (NSLP) – For People Over 65
As of July 1, 2024, Australians aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) who are not eligible for the NDIS can access free interpreting through the National Sign Language Program. The NSLP is administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care and delivered by Deaf Connect.
What the NSLP Covers:
- Private medical appointments (GP, specialists, allied health)
- Aged care services
- Social and professional settings (banking, community events)
How to Book:
Contact Deaf Connect to book interpreters:
- Online: Through the Deaf Connect website
- Phone: Call the bookings team
- SMS: Send a text message
- Email: Send an email request
- FaceTime: Video call for Auslan communication
Important Note: The previous National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS) ceased operations on June 30, 2024. All bookings now go through Deaf Connect under the NSLP.
NDIS Participants – Under 65
If you’re an NDIS participant under 65, interpreting costs are covered through your NDIS plan. Your NDIS funding can be used for:
- Medical appointments
- Health-related services
- Allied health consultations
- Any other interpreting needs
How to Book:
You can book interpreters through:
- Deaf Connect: Australia’s largest provider
- Other NDIS-registered interpreting agencies: Check with your support coordinator
- Self-managed participants: Can engage interpreters directly
Your support coordinator can help you understand how interpreting fits into your plan and how to access services.
Public Health Services
Public hospitals and community health centres typically have their own interpreting services:
Health Care Interpreter Services (HCIS): Each state and territory has health care interpreting services for public health appointments. These are generally free for patients in the public health system.
How to Request:
- Inform reception when booking your appointment that you need an Auslan interpreter
- Public hospitals should arrange this automatically
- For scheduled appointments, request at least one week in advance
- For emergency department visits, interpreters may be arranged on-site or via video
State-Based Services:
Each state has its own health interpreting service. Contact your state’s health department or the specific hospital to enquire about Auslan interpreting.
For Legal Matters
Court Proceedings
Courts are required to provide interpreters for legal proceedings to ensure fair access to justice.
Criminal Matters: If you’re accused of a crime, the court MUST provide an Auslan interpreter at no cost to you. This is a fundamental right.
Civil Matters: Courts generally provide interpreters for civil proceedings as well, though arrangements vary by jurisdiction.
How It Works:
- Your lawyer requests an interpreter when legal proceedings are scheduled
- Court staff arrange for accredited interpreters
- The cost is covered by the court system
Your Responsibility: Inform your lawyer immediately that you require an Auslan interpreter. Don’t wait until the court date.
Police Interactions
If you’re questioned by police, you have the right to an interpreter.
How to Request:
- Tell police immediately that you’re deaf and need an Auslan interpreter
- Police should not question you until an interpreter arrives (except in emergencies)
- In after-hours situations, video interpreting may be used
- Deaf Connect provides emergency after-hours interpreting services for police matters
Important: You are not required to answer questions without an interpreter present. Politely but firmly state that you need an interpreter before proceeding.
Legal Consultations and Advice
When meeting with lawyers, solicitors, or legal aid services:
Who Pays:
- Legal Aid clients: Legal Aid typically covers interpreting costs if you’re eligible for their services
- Private lawyers: Some lawyers build interpreting costs into their fees; others may ask you to arrange and pay for interpreters. Discuss this upfront.
- NDIS participants: If you have NDIS funding, you can use it for legal consultations
How to Arrange:
- Inform your lawyer when booking the appointment
- Book an interpreter yourself through an interpreting agency if needed
- Ensure costs are clarified before the appointment
Step-by-Step: How to Book an Interpreter
Step 1: Determine Who Pays
First, identify which funding source applies:
- Over 65 (or 50+ Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander) → NSLP (free)
- NDIS participant → Your NDIS plan
- Public hospital/health centre → Usually hospital-arranged
- Court proceeding → Court-arranged
- Legal consultation → Depends on your legal service arrangement
- Private appointment (self-funded) → You arrange and pay
Step 2: Book as Early as Possible
Timing Matters:
- Routine appointments: Book at least 7-14 days in advance
- Urgent appointments: Contact interpreting services immediately; they may have shorter-notice availability
- Emergencies: After-hours emergency interpreting is available through Deaf Connect
Early booking ensures interpreter availability and allows for your preferred interpreter if you have one.
Step 3: Provide Essential Information
When booking, be ready to provide:
- Date and time: Of the appointment
- Location: Full address and specific room/clinic if known
- Type of appointment: GP, specialist, lawyer, etc.
- Expected duration: How long the appointment will take
- Specific needs: Any particular requirements (e.g., medical speciality terminology)
- Funding source: NSLP, NDIS plan number, self-funded, etc.
- Preferred interpreter: If you have one (subject to availability)
Step 4: Confirm the Booking
After booking:
- Get written confirmation (email or SMS)
- Save the interpreter’s contact details
- Note any special instructions
- Confirm one day before if it’s an important appointment
Step 5: Inform the Healthcare Provider or Professional
Critical Step: Tell your doctor, lawyer, or service provider that you’ve booked an interpreter.
- Inform reception when checking in
- Remind them when the interpreter arrives
- Ask them to speak directly to you, not to the interpreter
What to Expect: Working With Interpreters
The Interpreter’s Role
Professional interpreters:
- Translate everything said, accurately and completely
- Remain impartial and neutral
- Maintain strict confidentiality
- Follow the AUSIT Code of Ethics
- Are NAATI certified (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters)
Interpreters do NOT:
- Give advice or opinions
- Advocate for you
- Summarise or skip information
- Make decisions
- Get involved personally
During the Appointment
Positioning: The interpreter should be positioned where you can see them comfortably while also seeing the doctor/professional.
Communication Protocol:
- Speak directly to the doctor/professional, not the interpreter
- Use first person (“I have pain” not “tell her I have pain”)
- Take your time
- Ask for clarification if needed
- The interpreter will sign everything said and voice everything you sign
Pace: Interpreters may ask speakers to slow down or repeat if speech is too fast or unclear. This is normal.
Breaks: Long appointments (over 90 minutes) may require two interpreters who swap periodically to maintain accuracy.
Medical Terminology
Professional Auslan interpreters are familiar with medical terminology and can interpret complex medical information. However:
- Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to explain terms in simpler language
- Request written information to review later
- The interpreter can clarify how specific medical terms are signed if needed
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: “We Don’t Have Time to Wait for an Interpreter”
Your Response: “It’s my right to have an interpreter, and it’s required under the Disability Discrimination Act. I cannot give informed consent without understanding everything.”
If it’s genuinely urgent and life-threatening, treatment may proceed, but non-emergency discussions should wait for the interpreter.
Challenge: “Can’t Your Family Member Interpret?”
Your Response: “Professional interpreters ensure accuracy and confidentiality. It’s hospital/clinic policy and best practice to use professional interpreters for medical appointments.”
Using family members:
- Violates your privacy
- May lead to inaccurate information
- Creates emotional burden on family
- Isn’t appropriate for sensitive topics
- Doesn’t meet legal standards for informed consent
Challenge: Interpreter Doesn’t Arrive
If the interpreter doesn’t show up:
- Contact the interpreting agency immediately
- Inform the doctor/receptionist
- Ask if the appointment can be rescheduled
- Video remote interpreting may be available as backup
- For emergencies, proceed with video interpreting if available
Challenge: Poor Interpreter Quality
If an interpreter:
- Makes obvious errors
- Seems confused by content
- Doesn’t follow ethics (gives opinions, breaches confidentiality)
- Has limited medical/legal vocabulary
You can:
- Request a different interpreter for future appointments
- Report concerns to the interpreting agency
- Provide feedback to NAATI if the interpreter’s certification is in question
Most interpreters are highly professional, but if you have concerns, you have the right to raise them.
Costs and Funding
Free Services
- NSLP (over 65): Completely free for eligible individuals
- Court proceedings: No cost to you
- Public hospital appointments: Usually no cost
- NDIS participants: Covered by your plan
When You Might Pay
- Private specialists if you’re under 65 and not NDIS-eligible
- Private legal consultations (unless covered by Legal Aid or NDIS)
- Personal matters outside medical/legal contexts
Costs vary but expect around $90-150 per hour for professional Auslan interpreters. Many agencies have minimum booking periods (1.5-2 hours).
Getting Financial Support
JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund: If interpreting is needed for employment purposes (including job interviews or work-related medical appointments), JobAccess may provide funding.
Legal Aid: If you qualify for Legal Aid, interpreting costs should be covered.
Medicare: Medicare doesn’t directly fund interpreting, but doctors in certain programs may be able to access free interpreting for eligible patients.
Special Situations
Telehealth Appointments
With the increase in telehealth, you can still access interpreters:
- Video interpreting: Interpreter joins the video call
- Arrange in advance: Ensure your doctor’s video platform allows multiple participants
- Check technology: Test your video setup before the appointment
- Confirm with interpreter and doctor: Ensure everyone knows it’s a telehealth appointment
Mental Health Appointments
Mental health communication requires particular sensitivity:
- Therapeutic relationship: Some clients prefer consistency—request the same interpreter for ongoing therapy
- Cultural competence: Ensure interpreters understand mental health terminology
- Confidentiality: Interpreters follow strict confidentiality rules, even in mental health contexts
Emergency Department
Emergency departments should have access to on-call interpreters:
- Inform triage immediately that you need an Auslan interpreter
- If an interpreter can’t come immediately, video interpreting should be available
- For life-threatening emergencies, treatment proceeds, but interpretation should be arranged as soon as possible
- Family members should NOT be used to interpret in emergency medical situations
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Maternity services should provide interpreters:
- Book interpreters for all prenatal appointments
- Arrange an interpreter for labour (on-call service)
- Request interpreters for postnatal check-ups
- The Royal Women’s Hospital and most major hospitals have experience coordinating interpreters for birthing
Your Rights
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, you have the right to:
- Access services on equal terms with hearing people
- Request reasonable adjustments (including interpreters)
- Receive information in a form you can understand
- Give informed consent based on complete information
Healthcare providers and legal professionals who refuse to provide interpreters may be discriminating unlawfully.
If you’re denied access to an interpreter inappropriately:
- Request the refusal in writing
- Contact the service’s complaints department
- Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission if discrimination continues
- Seek advocacy support from your state’s Deaf organisation
Tips for Success
Be Proactive: Don’t wait for others to arrange interpreters—take charge and book them yourself when possible.
Build Relationships: If you find interpreters who work well for you, request them for future appointments.
Educate Providers: Many healthcare and legal professionals don’t understand interpreting. Gently educate them about the process and your rights.
Arrive Early: Get to appointments a few minutes early to ensure the interpreter has arrived and everyone’s ready.
Bring Written Information: For medical appointments, bring a list of current medications, symptoms, or questions in writing.
Follow Up: After appointments, confirm next steps and follow-up appointments—and book interpreters for those too.
Resources and Contacts
Deaf Connect (NSLP provider and interpreting services): https://deafconnect.org.au/
Department of Health and Aged Care (NSLP information): https://www.health.gov.au/
NDIS (for participants seeking interpreting support): https://www.ndis.gov.au/
JobAccess (Employment Assistance Fund): 1800 464 800 https://jobaccess.gov.au/
State Deaf Organisations (advocacy and support):
- Deaf Victoria
- Deaf Services Queensland
- Deaf Can:Do (South Australia)
- Each state has its own organisation
NAATI (interpreter qualifications): https://www.naati.com.au/
Conclusion
Accessing Auslan interpreters for medical and legal matters is your right, not a privilege. While the process may seem complex at first, with practice it becomes routine. Professional interpreting ensures you receive the same quality of healthcare and legal representation as anyone else—which is exactly as it should be.
Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Request interpreters confidently, book them early, and ensure you fully understand everything discussed in your appointments. Your health, legal rights, and wellbeing depend on clear communication.
Remember: You’re not being difficult or demanding by requesting an interpreter. You’re ensuring safe, effective, equal access to essential services. That’s not just reasonable—it’s your right under Australian law.