Auslan Day

What is Auslan?

Auslan is the language of the Australian Deaf Community. Auslan is a portmanteau, a word made up by combining the words Australian Sign Language.

Did you know that Auslan or Australian Sign Language has been used in Australia since the 1900s. Whilst it is hard to pinpoint the date when Auslan was first used, there is evidence of signing Deaf people in Australia going back to 1820s.

Auslan90 Catch – Our daily Youth News for one week! 

Auslan Day 2025 is the first day that we released Auslan90 Catch! Catch is our youth-focussed daily news edition.

Follow along on our usual Auslan90 and Deaf Connect channels to see all the videos coming out this week!

Celebrate Auslan Day with Deaf Space!

Deaf Space is more than physical space: it’s a sense of connection, belonging, and culture that goes beyond places. Whether in historic Deaf schools, spontaneous train meetups, or global online forums, Deaf Space exists wherever Deaf people gather.

Melissa Elmira Yingst highlights the need for these spaces to be Deaf-led, inclusive, and rooted in sign language. Dr Breda Carty reflects on how history shapes our sense of place, while Professor Annelies Kusters shows how everyday interactions form community, even as traditional spaces disappear.

Have a look at our Deaf Space experts videos to see more.

The Return of the "Life As" Series – Featuring Deaflympians!

We’re thrilled to bring back our “Life As” series, this time spotlighting Deaflympians! As the Gold Medal Sponsor of the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, we want to get you excited for our great Aussie athletes who will be competing in Japan. Join us as we explore what it takes to train and compete on the world stage. 

The first episode, launching on Auslan Day, features Sam Cartledge, a proud member of the men’s basketball team. 

Auslan Storytime

Can’t get enough Auslan? Join free, interactive storytelling sessions led by a Deaf presenter in their primary language, serving as a positive role model for young Deaf and hard of hearing children and fostering early literacy development.  

Click “Learn More” to find out about upcoming sessions.

Download our Auslan Bookmark and Poster

We have created a Bookmark and poster that you can download and print complete with the Auslan alphabet to help you practice your Auslan fingerspelling.

More activities and resources

Head to Deaf Australia for more information about Auslan Day and events.  

Also, Deaf Australia have a fun video competition. Share your amusing misadventures while navigating the world of Deaf people or Auslan for a chance to win a cash prize.