Auslan Translation Guidelines 2026 and Fortifying the 2015 Auslan Translation Guidelines Report
Authored by Gabrielle Hodge, Paula Thornton, Stef Linder
The 2026 Auslan Translation Guidelines were developed through the ACCAN-funded project Fortifying the 2015 Auslan Translation Guidelines Deaf Australia. The project reviewed the ongoing relevance of the 2015 Guidelines, incorporated the needs of low vision Deafblind Auslan users, and examined the emergence of Auslan-first video content.
The revised 2026 Guidelines make recommendations to improve:
Prioritisation of meaning and audience comprehension over adherence to English source structure.
Emphasis on Auslan translations and transcreations over recorded interpretations to enhance linguistic and cultural accessibility.
Deafblind accessibility is embedded throughout all stages of design, production and delivery.
Video content is optimised through clear visual presentation, appropriate pacing and adherence to accessible design standards.
Provision of plain English summaries and transcripts are provided at the time of video release to ensure timely access.
Engagement of deaf and Deafblind stakeholders are engaged in development, review and quality assurance processes.
Integration of ongoing feedback mechanisms, evaluation processes and professional development are integrated within the Auslan translation sector.
The Fortifying the 2015 Auslan Translation Guidelines report investigated the current relevance and effectiveness of the 2015 Guidelines. It aimed to understand how the Guidelines are used in practice, identify barriers to their uptake, incorporate the needs of low vision Deafblind Auslan users, and examine the emergence of Auslan-first videos as an alternative approach to accessible communication.
Through consultations with Auslan translation practitioners and users, this important research reveals key challenges in the implementation of the 2015 Guidelines, including limited resources, lack of quality assurance mechanisms, and gaps in guidance around training, credentialing and governance.
The Fortifying the 2015 Auslan Translation Guidelines report makes several key recommendations for improving Auslan translation quality, including:
Establish a government-funded oversight body to monitor translation quality, enforce standards and strengthen accountability across the Auslan translation sector.
Ensure ongoing community involvement in guideline development, review and consultation to ensure continued relevance, representation and responsiveness to emerging technologies.
Establish regular review and evaluation processes to keep the Guidelines current, improve quality assurance and monitor user engagement with AI powered tools.
Develop a central repository to improve access to Auslan translations, particularly by consolidating government and organisational content into a single, easily searchable platform.
Integrate formal Auslan translation training into education programs to strengthen skills development and consistency in practice.