How the Free Interpreting Service (FIS) supports eligible allied health professionals
The FIS gives eligible allied health professionals free access to professional certified interpreters to communicate with patients with limited English proficiency. Using a professional interpreter improves communication and reduces medical errors. It increases patient safety and assists allied health professionals to meet their duty of care, ethical and legal obligations.
Eligibility and registration
Allied health professionals are eligible to access the FIS for services delivered:
- in a private practice whose registered business or clinic address is in an approved LGA, and
- by a suitably qualified professional in an eligible discipline, and
- to a patient or client who is eligible for Medicare (Australian citizens, permanent residents and select temporary visa holders).
Eligible allied health disciplines
Private allied health professionals in the following disciplines are eligible for the FIS:
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Eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs)
The FIS can be used by private sector allied health professionals (including mobile and telehealth providers) whose registered business or clinic address is in the following LGAs:
|
State/Territory |
Local Government Areas |
|---|---|
|
ACT |
Canberra |
|
NSW |
Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong |
|
NT |
Darwin |
|
QLD |
Brisbane, Logan, Cairns, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville |
|
SA |
Adelaide, Mount Gambier |
|
TAS |
Launceston, Hobart |
|
VIC |
Casey, Greater Dandenong, Hume, Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Mildura, Wodonga |
|
WA |
Perth |
Eligible activities
The FIS can be used to schedule and deliver private allied health services.
Ineligible activities
The FIS cannot be used for Australian or state/territory government-funded public health services and programs.
Registration
Allied health professionals must submit an online application to TIS National for case-by-case assessment.
Each allied health professional will need a unique client code to access the service. Practice support staff working with an allied health professional registered with TIS National may access the FIS using the same client code.
