There are no occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements applicable to this qualification at the time of publication on the National Register.

However, DC requires students to successfully complete PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan prior to enrolling in this course.

If you already have Auslan proficiency at Certificate IV level, but do not hold PSP40818 - Certificate IV in Auslan, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for part of the course.

Contact us at studentservices@deafconnect.org.au for more information.

You can access our Enrolment Policy here or in our Student Handbook.

PSP51018 - Diploma of Auslan is made up of 13 units.
Nine (9) of them will be completed as part of your Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV in Auslan:

• PSPLAN001 - Converse in Auslan at a basic user level
• PSPLAN002 - Compare the fundamental differences between Auslan and English structure
• PSPLAN003 - Source information on Deaf culture, and communicate according to Deaf protocols
• PSPLAN004 - Converse in Auslan at an independent user level (familiar subjects)
• PSPLAN005 - Analyse the structure of Auslan signs
• PSPLAN006 - Research the development of educational and social conditions for Australian Deaf communities
• PSPLAN007 - Converse in Auslan at an independent user level (abstract and concrete notions)
• PSPLAN008 - Compare the structure of sentences in Auslan and English
• PSPLAN010 – Communicate with Deafblind people

You will need to successfully complete the remaining four (4) units in order to attain your Diploma:

• PSPLAN009 - Compare other sign languages to Auslan
• PSPLAN012 – Converse in Auslan at a proficient user level
• PSPLAN013 – Analyse the semantics and sociolinguistics of Auslan
• PSPLAN015 – Research the role of an Auslan interpreter

More information about this qualification and its units can be found here.

Study Option

• Blended (combination of face-to-face in classroom and online), or
• Online only (virtual classroom via Zoom)

Face-to-face and live online sessions are timetabled in your Course Guide (see below).
However, outside this time, students are expected to complete approximately 30 hours per week for individual study, online learning, their own review of signs and information from class activities, research and preparation of assessments, and community contact.

Auslan Only Weekend

In addition to this, students will be required to attend an Auslan Only Weekend (AOW), which will also be attended by members of the Deaf Community. AOWs are held in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. You are expected to travel to the venue closest to you. The Adelaide AOW weekend is not residential while the Brisbane and Sydney ones are.
Semester 2, 2023 AOWs will take place from Friday, 17th November 2023 to Sunday, 19 November 2023.
Note:
The Auslan Only Weekend (AOW) is included in your course fees. The AOW forms part of your course and attendance is highly recommended, however, failure to attend will not impact on your ability to successfully complete the course.
If you choose the online study option, you will be expected to attend the AOW face-to-face and travel to your state-based AOW, unless you live outside NSW, QLD or SA - in this case, you can go to the venue closest to you.

Duration

One semester and one term - 28 weeks:

• Term 1 – 1 week for Online Orientation + 9 weeks
• Term 2 – 9 weeks
• Term 3 – 9 weeks

Classes will be 5 hours per week (over 1 day or 2 evenings). You will also be expected to watch a 1 hour pre-recorded video each week.

Students who have completed some formal/informal training and/or have proficiency in Auslan may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

For information about RPL, please refer to our RPL page.

If you are suitable for RPL, you will need to complete the following in order to be issued PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan:

• Hold PSP20218 - Certificate II in Auslan,
• Hold PSP30218 - Certificate III in Auslan,
• Hold PSP40818 - Certificate IV in Auslan,
• Be awarded RPL for the Auslan unit of competency (PSPLAN007),
• Successfully complete the theory units of competency (PSPLAN008 and PSPLAN010) in a mostly self-paced online mode.

For detailed information about this course, you can access the Course Guide appropriate to your course below:

• 2023 RPL Course Guide.

According to the date of your Formal Enrolment in RPL Course, please ensure you take note of the Assessment Schedule that applies to you:

• Semester 1, 2023 Assessment Schedule.
• Semester 2, 2023 Assessment Schedule.

You can also access the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning here or in the Student Handbook.

Students considering applying for this course are strongly encouraged to download this Program Factsheet.

Applying for RPL

If you wish to apply for RPL, click here.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Note: The Auslan Only Weekend (AOW) is included in your course fees. The AOW forms part of your course and attendance is highly recommended, however, failure to attend will not impact on your ability to successfully complete the course.

Australian Capital Territory

• Funding: There is no subsidised training available for PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan in Semester 2, 2023 under Skilled Capital. Skilled Capital is an ACT Government training initiative, funded by the ACT and Australian Governments.
• Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023: Fee For Service rate applies.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023: Fee For Service rate applies.
• Eligibility: N/A.
• Fee For Service (no subsidy): $5,800.

New South Wales

• Funding: This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
• Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023*: $600 + the Auslan Only Weekend fee = $866 (non-concessional) for eligible students.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023*: $400 (non-concessional) for eligible students.
• Eligibility: You can check your eligibility here.

*Note: The above-mentioned fees may be adjusted pending approval of our funding contract with Smart and Skilled. Depending on your previous qualifications and personal circumstances, your fee may also be different to the fee shown above.

Queensland

• Funding: This training is subsidised by the Queensland Government under the Higher Level Skills program.
• Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023:
  • $2,334 + the Auslan Only Weekend fee = $2,600 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students, or
  • $1,167 + the Auslan Only Weekend fee = $1,300 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023: $1,160 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $580 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
• Eligibility: You can check your eligibility here*.

For a breakdown of the fees at a unit of competency level, see the Program Factsheet relevant to your course of choice. DC will send you a first invoice upon enrolment for the unit(s) of competency being delivered during the course.

*Note: Under the Queensland VET Investment Program Priority Skills List, DC has an exemption for this course that allows students who hold a certificate III or higher level qualification to still be considered for funding eligibility, as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria.

South Australia

• Funding: This training is supported through WorkReady by the Government of South Australia.
• Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023:
  • $1,750 + the Auslan Only Weekend fee = $1,800 (non-concessional) for eligible students, or
  • $145 + the Auslan Only Weekend fee = $170 (concessional) for eligible students.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2023: $1,160 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $580 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
• Eligibility: You can check your eligibility here*.

*Note: The minimum age for students to enrol in South Australia is 18 years of age.

Other States / Fee For Service

• $6,000.
• Recognition of Prior Learning: $3,000.
• DC does not provide subsidised training for students from other states. If you are from another state or territory and wish to enrol, you will need to pay the full fee of the course.
• If you are from one of the above-listed states but are not eligible for funding and wish to enrol, you will also need to pay the full fee of the course.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

Certification documentation will not be issued until all fees have been paid.

For detailed information about this course, you can access the Course Guide appropriate to your course (based on its commencement) below:

• Semester 1, 2023 Course Guide.
• Semester 2, 2023 Course Guide.

The Student Handbook contains information about DC’s obligations towards our students, information about students’ rights and obligations towards DC, as well as links to the relevant policies.

You are required to read and understand our Student Handbook prior to enrolling into this course.

The below is the list of DC’s course offerings for S2, 2023 and their associated Program Factsheet.

Students considering enrolling in a course must read and are strongly encouraged to download the Program Factsheet relevant to their course of choice.

Note: The below list is subject to change.

Students in ACT

• Canberra - Tuesday and Thursday 6pm to 830pm

Students in NSW

• Sydney - Wednesday 9am to 230pm

Students in QLD

• Alderley - Tuesday 9am to 230pm
• ACT, NSW and SA - Friday 9am to 230pm (NSW time)
• ACT and NSW - Tuesday and Thursday 6pm to 830pm (NSW time)
• ACT, NSW and SA - Wednesday 9am to 230pm (NSW time)
• QLD - Monday and Wednesday 6pm to 830pm (QLD time)*
• QLD and SA - Tuesday and Thursday 6pm to 830pm (QLD time)*

* Applications from QLD regional students will be prioritised for the QLD Online class. Regional students are those who live further than 50km away from the closest venue.

The Program Factsheets for the Semester 1, 2023 offerings can still be accessed through the Course Guide.

Funding Eligibility Evidence

In order for DC to assess your funding eligibility, you will need to provide some evidence along with your Enrolment Form.

Proof of ID in the form of one of the following:

• Australian or New Zealand Birth Certificate
• Australian or New Zealand Passport
• Green Medicare card
• Naturalisation Certificate
• Humanitarian VISA
• Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (Permanent Resident).

Proof of residency or employment in the form of one of the following:

• Current driver’s license
• Health Care card or Pension card
• Proof of Age card
• Letter or email form employer to show the street address where you are working
• Utilities account relating to your address within the last 3 months of rental document.

If relevant, proof of disability in the form of one of the following:

• Disability Support Pension card
• Letter form a medical practitioner
• Letter from appropriate government agency
• Letter from TAFE NSW Teacher/Consultant for students with a disability
• Letter from special education coordinator
• Letter from specialised allied health professional.

Note (students in ACT and NSW):
The documents you provide must be a copy of the original which has been sighted and signed by an Approved Witness within the last twelve (12) months. For a list of Approved Witnesses, please visit the Attorney-General's Department page.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015, Deaf Connect (DC) can be prevented from issuing you with a nationally recognised VET qualification or statement of attainment when you complete your course if you do not have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
In addition, we are required to include your USI in the data we submit to NCVER. If you have not yet obtained a USI you can apply for it directly at https://www.usi.gov.au/students/create-your-usi/ on computer or mobile device.
You may already have a USI if you have done any nationally recognised training. It is important that you try to find out whether you already have a USI before attempting to create a new one. You should not have more than one USI. To check if you already have a USI, use the ‘Forgotten USI’ link on the USI website at https://www.usi.gov.au/faqs/i-have-forgotten-my-usi/.

Course Confirmation

Courses will only be confirmed once minimum enrolment numbers have been reached. Students will receive a confirmation email confirming that their course is going ahead, which they should wait for before committing to any affiliated expenses like childcare.

You need to have access to the following:

• Laptop or desktop computer with reliable internet connection
• Filming device (webcam, handheld camera or smartphone)
• Word processing and presentation software(s) to make presentations or complete your assessments (Microsoft Word or Google Docs and Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides)
• PDF reader (download for free here)
• Access to Zoom
• Access to Moodle – instructions will be provided prior to the commencement of the course
• Access to printer and scanner – If you are not familiar with document editing
• Pen and notepad

Note:
Our Learning Management System (Moodle) is not easily accessible from smart phones or tablets and is best accessed on a laptop or desktop computer. Due to the way our courses are structured, the Moodle App for either Apple or Android is NOT SUITABLE for studying DC courses. You are at risk of not seeing all learning materials in full when attempting to access them via a mobile phone or tablet.

For blended courses, laptops are preferred rather than phones or tablets and you may need to hotspot from your phone. For online only courses, you MUST use a laptop or desktop computer and your screen must be of adequate size (about 22”) in order for you to clearly see your trainer and classmates. We recommend you use two monitors: one for the PowerPoint and one for your Zoom class.

DC will provide weekly Auslan Practice Sessions for students to practice their signing skills. Subject Matter Experts will also provide extra tutorials on the theory units.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend. Check your timetable in your Course Guide to find out when the sessions are.

DC may also make reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with disability, where possible. The adjustment made will be determined on a case-by-case basis after assessment of the individual need(s) of the student.

You can access our Support Services Policy here or in our Student Handbook.

On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:

• Understand a wide range of demanding, long texts, and recognise implicit meaning,
• Express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions,
• Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes,
• Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Your enrolment in the course does not guarantee that you will successfully complete or that you will obtain a particular employment outcome where it is outside of DC's control.

You must have successfully completed all units in order to be issued with an AQF [Australian Qualifications Framework] certification documentation for PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan.

Email is the primary means by which we will contact you about your course, e.g. to confirm a course once minimum enrolment numbers are achieved, or cancel if we do not receive enough enrolments.

Please ensure you enter your email address correctly at the time of enrolment.
Please also monitor your Junk folder for emails from Access Training & Education or Deaf Connect. If you do not receive an email about your course by at least the day before the scheduled start date, please contact us.