Sign Language Communications NSW (SLC NSW) (and the Deaf Society of NSW as a whole) supports the principle that Deaf people should receive the same level of service as any other person and should not have to pay for Auslan interpreting themselves.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), training providers, employers and service providers must provide access for people with disabilities, including Deaf people. This legislation also covers access to premises and accommodation, as well as goods and facilities.

The Commonwealth is not exempt from claiming unjustifiable hardship, and so should always be in a position to provide access to its departments and programs. There are also anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws at State level to ensure that Deaf people are not discriminated against. The Deaf Society considers that all Government departments, both Commonwealth and State, should make a budgetary allocation to cover the cost of interpreting services.

Memorandum Number 98/22 from the Premier of NSW states that all organisations which receive funding from any NSW Government department must budget for the cost of interpreting services.

In certain situations - for example, where a small business does not have the financial means to pay for interpreting - the fee is negotiable. In a small number of situations, SLC NSW will fund the provision of an interpreter. In both situations, the requesting organisation must show that paying for this service would constitute an unjustifiable hardship.

Where the Deaf Society and another agency (for example, Department of Community Services or Department of Juvenile Justice) have a client in common, the cost of the interpreting service for meetings where the client is present shall be shared equally between all service providers involved. This booking will be made with SLC NSW and negotiated before the appointment. The Deaf Society (including SLC NSW) has a role in educating kindred agencies about their obligations under legislation.

In instances where a Deaf member of staff at the Deaf Society requests a meeting with another agency and there are no other Deaf people present, discussion should occur regarding responsibility to pay for the interpreter. Where the agency is not in a position to pay, or does not receive government funding, SLC NSW shall bear the cost for the interpreting service required.

Training providers and organisations that provide training are, under legislation, responsible for providing access at all times. The Deaf Society OF NSW is not responsible for covering the costs for interpreting access for Deaf staff who enrol in professional development or training sessions. Under Commonwealth legislation, this is the responsibility of the provider, unless unjustifiable hardship can be established.

For information about costs of booking an interpreter with SLC NSW, click here.