Learning and Development—Auslan

Purpose

To assist schools in the implementation and delivery of bilingual education for deaf students using Auslan.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) supports deaf students in Queensland state schools who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to communicate.

Students who are deaf are enrolled in many locations across the state including schools with specialised programs (DHH) and schools in regional, rural and remote locations. Supports are provided by Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) working in schools or as Advisory Visiting Teachers: Auslan (AVT: Auslan). Principal Advisors: Auslan (PAA) and Teacher Aides: Auslan Language Model and Teacher Aides: Education Interpreter.

Deaf students who use Auslan require specific planning and educational support. Schools should use the appropriation to purchase appropriate educational resources and to build staff capacity by accessing appropriate professional development. Advice on such activities can be provided by PAA and/or DHHS.

Duration of program

Ongoing

Eligibility

State schools that have Auslan students enrolled

Allocation of funds

Funds are allocated by the Manager, DHHS to the participating schools who have enrolled Auslan students as required throughout the year. The various appropriation types paid to schools per calendar year, unless otherwise stated, include the following.

*Schools with new Auslan student enrolments refers to a school that has not had an Auslan student previously enrolled. Note: The Learning and development/resources funding is not paid in the first year to a school that has not had Auslan students previously enrolled. PAA and AVT: Auslan allocations are calculated in relation to the fraction worked.

**A one-off payment may be made to schools to assist with technology purchase or upgrades to enable schools to deliver the appropriate program for an Auslan student (for example a student requiring equipment to access virtual lessons from a TOD).

***Teacher relief allocation—determined by the rate of Teacher Relief Scheme (TRS) x days required to release the staff member to assist with programs as determined by DHHS.

****Paid at AO3 level x days required to assist the DHHS staff on site.

Learning and development/resources

This appropriation assists schools to purchase equipment and resources to assist with classroom communication and support. It should also be used to assist with the costs associated with Auslan-related professional development activities.

New schools supporting Auslan users (one-off payment)

Schools with deaf and hard of hearing students are entitled to an initial appropriation to support costs associated with the installation of safety equipment, such as flashing alarms for bells and warning systems, and to purchase equipment which will increase communication access in education facilities.

Technology appropriation (one-off payment)

This appropriation should be used to purchase equipment that can be used with high quality video footage and video conferencing.

PAA allocation

This pro-rata payment will be paid to the base locations of PAAs and will assist these officers in purchasing equipment and resources used to support Auslan students as well as access to Auslan-specific professional development as approved by the Manager.

PAA and AVT: Auslan base school allocation

This payment will be paid to the base locations hosting PAAs to assist with the cost of hosting these officers.

AVT: Auslan allocation

This pro-rata payment will be paid to the base locations of AVT: Auslan and will assist these officers to access Deaf/Hard of Hearing-specific professional development and key teaching resources for use with face-to-face direct teaching and virtual delivery.

Payment details

Payment times will vary according to when data and entitlements are available. Funds will be paid annually and for schools with new enrolments, funds will be paid promptly after the enrolment has been notified to the PAA.

Data requirements

Auslan student enrolments are identified by the PAA and provided to the Manager, DHHS as required, to determine the school eligibility.

Recoupment process

Funds are paid on the basis that Auslan students are enrolled at a school. Recoupment may be sought if the payment was made in error or where all enrolled students and supporting Auslan staff exit the school.

How to apply

Schools do not need to apply for this funding. Schools will automatically be identified as having Auslan students and willhave entitlements calculated and paid.

Contact

Director, Statewide Services
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
Phone: (07) 3034 5061​