Bettering National Relay Services
Deaf Australia's Priorities & Actions
Deaf Australia's priority in this campaign is:
- Video Relay Service be available 24/7.
- Smoother registeration process
- Improve interpreting quality
Updates
13 May 2026
Australian Government's Federal Budget 2026-27 announced extra 5 million each year for three years, to NRS in preparation for 24/7 VRS services.
9 August 2025
We has been actively monitoring community feedback relating to NRS's VRS platform transition from Skype to MS Teams. As part of this action, we have sent a call out to our community members and social media to gather lived experience & stories to strengthen our advocacy efforts.
27 March 2025
We has been actively monitoring community feedback following the upcoming transition of the National Relay Service video relay service from Skype to Microsoft Teams in May. Over recent weeks, they have collected concerns from the Deaf community, met directly with Concentrix through workshops and discussions, and raised key issues including access, registration, service quality, and communication gaps.
Looking ahead, Deaf Australia will continue working with Concentrix, share further updates with the community, potentially host a Q&A session, and support users with information sessions on how to use Microsoft Teams during the transition.
28 February 2025
We met with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and Concentrix to discuss key issues affecting the National Relay Service, including VRS access, Triple Zero (000), and service improvements.
The meeting included discussion about barriers to expanding VRS, interpreter workforce challenges, and the need for stronger Deaf community involvement in consultation and co-design.
The Department agreed to ongoing meetings with Deaf Australia and noted several requests for follow-up action.
2 April 2024
We continues to progress advocacy on improving the National Relay Service, following concerns raised about the recent tender process. Since the tender closed, Deaf Australia has begun discussions with the Government and ACCAN, focusing on service improvements, future tender reforms, and emergency access issues including Triple Zero for Deaf users.
Our latest news
Australian Government's Federal Budget 2026-27 announced extra 5 million each year for three years, to NRS in preparation for 24/7 VRS services.
