Australia is a very multicultural place. Today, over 400 languages are used across Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and dialects, languages from all over the world and sign language.
Language services provide professional interpreting and translation support to make sure all communication is accessible and inclusive for anyone with limited or no English.
Language services engage National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credentialed:
- interpreters via the phone, video remote interpreting (VRI) or on-site
- Auslan interpreters for written English to 'sight translation'
- translators for written information in languages other than English.
A translator makes a written transfer of written information from one language into another language to provide complete and accurate text reflecting the original material.
An interpreter conveys oral or signed messages from one language into another language, including sign language, with a high degree of accuracy, completeness, objectivity and sensitivity to the cultures associated with the languages of expertise.
All government agencies, including Queensland state schools, must engage a NAATI credentialed interpreter when requested or when they become aware that a person has difficulty communicating in English for important conversations and/or meetings.