Information for Parents
Parents are welcome to use NABS services at medical and health care appointments involving their children, between the ages of 0 to 18 years, if they feel it would be helpful to them.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience of Interpreters
Services are available to:
- Hearing parents who have a Deaf child who uses sign language
- Deaf parents who have a Deaf child who uses sign language
- Deaf parents who have a hearing child
NABS understands that children may be using a variety of communication methods and will do it's best to cater for individual needs.
Many NABS interpreters have skills in Signed English in addition to Auslan skills.
NABS services are free of charge to families with a Sign Language user and medical and health care practitioners. The NABS call centre is open from 8am to 8pm nationally, Monday to Friday excluding national public holidays.
What appointments can I have a NABS interpreter for?
| GP and Specialist | Podiatrists or Chiropodists | Indigenous Health Workers |
| Chiropractors | Audiologists | Osteopaths |
| Dieticians | Psychologists | Mental Health Workers |
| Psychiatrists | Occupational Therapists | Speech Pathologists |
| Physiotherapists | Dentists | Optometrists |
| Naturopath | Remedial Massage | Acupuncture |
| Iridology | Click here for explanations >> | |
Can I have a NABS interpreter at the hospital?
A NABS interpreter can be booked if the doctor has private consulting rooms at the hospital. If a doctor comes to the hospital ward to see their patient then NABS will not provide an interpreter.
Is NABS for Doctor's appointments I pay for or only for Bulk Billed appointments?
NABS is for ALL medical appointments on the list above.
When can I call NABS?
NABS operates nationally between the hours of 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm Saturday, excluding all national Public Holidays.