Australian Sign Language Interpreters

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: Into what?

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: The NDIS.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: It would appear some community and disability service providers are no longer able to provide Auslan interpreters for community events, such as the Carols by Candlelight in Elder Park. I am advised that this was a service previously provided through block funding that has since ceased as South Australians continue to transition to the NDIS.

This is obviously an unforeseen shortfall of the transition to full NDIS and a community service that must not be left behind through bureaucratic short-sightedness. My question is: what consultation has the minister conducted or what representations has she received concerning the discontinuance of services, such as the Auslan interpreters at community events, including Carols by Candlelight?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. Can I provide some background that qualifications associated with the Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreter pathways are endorsed as a national training product. In South Australia, people wishing to become an accredited Auslan interpreter can undertake state government subsidised training, delivered by TAFE SA, at certificates II, III and IV levels.

The Department for Industry and Skills is working with private training organisations to deliver Auslan qualifications in South Australia. Payment rates, I am advised, for interpreting services are set by the NDIS price guide, developed by the NDIA. Deaf Can:Do, which is a South Australian non-government organisation, has received $100,000 in funding through the Northern Economic Plan to develop a fast-track Auslan interpreter training pilot project.

The pilot will support Deaf Can:Do to almost double their interpreter workforce by March 2019 by supporting 10 native Auslan users—'native' being individuals who have fluency in the Auslan language and culture—to complete a fast-tracked Auslan certification program. The program is being implemented in partnership with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), the Australian Sign Language Interpreters' Association SA (ASLIA SA) and Vicdeaf.

The funding enables Deaf Can:Do to provide interpreter services for a range of activities. This is additional funding of $240,000 in the 2018-19 financial year for activities, including counselling, medical and dental appointments, legal and other meetings, religious activities, recreation and sport education, telephone interpreting and workplace activities.

I have been advised that some deaf people are finding it difficult to access Auslan interpreters due to a chronic shortage, which is a workforce capacity issue, that we do not have enough trained interpreters to meet demand. As I have outlined, we are providing funding to assist in that regard. In relation to his specific question in relation to Carols by Candlelight, I would need to check the record. From memory, I don't recall actually receiving any direct communications, but if that is not the case then I will come back with a further response.