Welcome to the ACARA website

View Certified Products The Auslan Certification and Research Association Ltd. (ACARA) is a non-profit company, limited by guarantee (ACN 119 517 476). ACARA was established in May 2006 to regulate, research and support the Australian Sign Language (Auslan) industry on behalf of its members and to generally promote and lobby on behalf of the language and the interests of its users. ACARA’s Board and Accreditation Panel work on a voluntary basis with funding from Memberships and donations. ACARA represents all people who need Auslan to communicate whether as their primary or secondary language and whose adoption of Auslan would improve access to appropriate resources.

The Primary Objective of ACARA is: To bring together Australian Signing People and associated bodies from across Australia to represent Australian Signing People's language use and needs.

ACARA will: Review and Certify resources and services containing sign language and intended for use and/or sale within Australia to ensure that resources and services available to Australian people: accurately reflect the naturally evolving Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN), including relevant dialects, are available and clearly identifiable within the Australian market place (and overseas where applicable), for all those who require or desire sign language to communicate, whether as their main, secondary or professional language. Publish Information and Advocate for Australian Signing People. ACARA aims to educate the Australian signing and non-signing community on the needs, desires and language diversity of Australia's signing people. In particular, but not limited to, the retail sector, which is most often the first contact point for Sign Language based resources and service information. Conduct Research ACARA aims to establish an accurate understanding of Australian signing people, their wants, needs, social and geographical demography and diversity. ACARA accepts memberships from the public. If you are interested in Membership please DO read our Membership Information and constitution online (pdf) now.

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Did you know? - In Sanskrit, acara means "good behaviour". Acara-yutah means "composed in a good manner" - Cichlids (a type of fish) are often known as "acara"