About us
Lyfe Languages is a youth-driven charity, co-designed with Pilbara communities, bridging culture, language and care. We translate medical terms and health information into Aboriginal and Indigenous languages so patients, families and health workers can understand each other.
Better communication between health professionals and patients who speak Indigenous languages, so health care is explained in a way people understand. Along the way, it helps keep Indigenous languages strong.
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What we do
A digital platform that translates medical terms into Indigenous languages, in text and audio, so patients and clinicians can communicate in culturally safe ways.
The platform →Young Indigenous Champions partner with Elders to create translations together, passing knowledge between generations and building community health literacy.
Meet the champions →Pregnancy, genetics, kidney disease, diabetes, dental, mental health and more. One platform for all of health.
Browse resources →Built by and for Indigenous people. Every translation, animation and module is developed in genuine partnership with communities.
Why it matters
English may be a patient's second, third or even fourth language. Medical jargon is hard enough in a first language.
Care defaults to English fluency and Western health literacy. Cultural context is rarely built into clinical workflows.
Language and cultural barriers reduce understanding and break trust between clinicians and community.
Miscommunication shapes consent, engagement, treatment and, ultimately, health outcomes.
No digital service embedded language inside culturally safe care, until now.
How we got here
The platform launched with Nyangumarta, from the Pilbara, as its first language.
Registered as an Australian public company and ACNC charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 status.
17 languages, 1,159 words translated, a World Economic Forum Zero Health Gaps Pledge, and champions from Ghana, New Zealand, Malaysia and beyond.
Pilbara, Western Australia · Wirraka Maya Health Service
Led by medical and Aboriginal leaders who bring deep expertise and cultural insight to bridging language gaps in healthcare.
Director · Co-founder
Director · Co-founder
Partnerships & Technology
Whether you're a health worker, community leader or language speaker, there's a way for you to be part of this movement.
An Aboriginal-led charity bringing health information into Aboriginal and Indigenous languages, with young Language Champions and Elders.
Stay in touch
3/105 Broadway, Nedlands WA 6009hello@lyfelanguages.org