A charity built on a simple conviction.
That the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community should never be an afterthought — not in church, not in the classroom, not anywhere. Since 2008, that conviction has carried us from a single interpreting request to a registered national charity.
From one request to a registered charity.
Signs Ministries began the way most good things do: with a person who needed to be heard. When a Deaf visitor walked into a Gold Coast church and found no way to follow the service, a small group of believers decided that should never happen again. What started as volunteer interpreting became a calling — and on 31 December 2008, The Trustee for Signs Ministries Charitable Trust was formally established.
In the years since, we have grown from ad-hoc interpreting into three structured programs: professional Auslan interpreting, Deaf-friendly church training, and disability inclusion courses. We remain deliberately small, relational and not-for-profit — every dollar and every hour goes toward one community: Deaf and hard-of-hearing Australians.
We are a Christian charitable trust. Our faith is the reason we serve, and our door is open to everyone — churches, community organisations, families and individuals of every background.
Why we exist, and where we are going.
Our mission
We exist to make sure the Deaf and hard-of-hearing are seen, heard and fully included — in worship, in learning, and in everyday community life.
We do this by providing professional Auslan interpreting, training churches and organisations in Deaf culture and inclusive practice, and delivering accessible disability inclusion education.
Our vision
An Australia where no Deaf person ever has to ask, “Will I be able to follow?” before walking into a church, a classroom or a community event.
We imagine a generation of churches and organisations for whom inclusion is not a project but a culture — and we train, interpret and advocate until that is normal.
The values behind the work.
Dignity first
Deaf people are the experts on their own lives. We listen to the community we serve, employ and learn from Deaf voices, and never speak on their behalf without them.
Excellence in communication
Interpreting is a profession, not a favour. We work with accredited interpreters, prepare thoroughly for every booking, and hold ourselves to the standards the Deaf community deserves.
Faith in action
Our Christian faith calls us to practical love. We measure our ministry not in words but in doors opened, services interpreted and communities changed.
Transparency
As a registered charity we are accountable — to our supporters, to the ACNC, and most of all to the community we serve. Our registration and reporting are public record.
A registered charity, in the open.
We are proud of our not-for-profit status and happy for anyone to verify it. Here are our official details, exactly as they appear on the national register.
- Legal name
- The Trustee for Signs Ministries Charitable Trust
- ABN
- 13 674 059 376
- Charity regulator
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) — registered since 31 December 2008
- Who we help
- People who are Deaf or hard of hearing, their families, churches and community organisations
- Based at
- 69 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters, QLD 4223, Australia
- Contact
- info@signsministries.com