History of Auslan in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 29, 2025

Auslan is the primary sign language used by the Australian Deaf community. It belongs to the BANZSL language family, sharing common ancestry with British Sign Language (BSL) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Unlike spoken English, Auslan possesses a distinct grammar and vocabulary. It evolved naturally over time within the Deaf community, without a specific inventor or point of origin.

1982: Registration of first sign language interpreters

In 1982, the first sign language interpreters were registered by NAATI, giving Auslan a sense of legitimacy.

1987: Auslan recognised as a community language

In 1987, the Australian government recognised Auslan as a "community language other than English".

1989: Publishing of first dictionary of Auslan

In 1989, the first dictionary of Auslan was published.

1991: Auslan recognised as the preferred language of the Deaf community

In 1991, the Australian government recognised Auslan as the preferred language of the Deaf community.

1992: Enactment of the federal Disability Discrimination Act

In 1992, the enactment of the federal Disability Discrimination Act boosted the provision of Auslan/English interpreters in tertiary education.

2006: David Gibson gives maiden speech in Auslan

In 2006, David Gibson was the first member of any Parliament in Australia to give a maiden speech in Auslan.

2007: Auslan events for the National Week of Deaf People

In 2007, David Gibson was involved in Auslan events for the National Week of Deaf People at the Queensland Parliament, including the use of Auslan interpreters for question time and a debate between members of the deaf community and members of parliament on disability issues.

2007: Most commonly fingerspelled words in Auslan

In 2007, Schembri and Johnston found that the most commonly fingerspelled words in Auslan include "so", "to", "if", "but" and "do".

2015: Drisana Levitzke-Gray promotes Auslan

In 2015, The Young Australian of the Year, Drisana Levitzke-Gray, used Auslan in her acceptance speech and called on the Government of Australia and Australians to learn and use Auslan.

2020: Increased visibility through press conferences

From 2020, Auslan experienced a period of increased visibility through press conferences from federal and state leaders and health officials, which invariably featured Auslan interpreters. Since 2020, the ABC News channel's Sunday 5pm bulletin has included Auslan interpretation.