Why should allied health professionals engage interpreters?
Allied health professionals should engage credentialed interpreters to communicate complex or technical information to patients with limited or no English proficiency. This can help to ensure accuracy of communication, reduce confusion, save time, encourage continuation of care, and protect providers from professional risk. It is particularly important when:
- seeking informed consent
- dealing with patients in a crisis
- dealing with complexity
- assessing patient competence.
Educational video for allied health professionals
The Educational video for allied health professionals has been developed to provide allied health professionals with an understanding of TIS National and how to use its interpreting services.
Private allied health professionals can use the FIS to access interpreting services delivered by TIS National, including:
- immediate phone interpreting
- Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS)
- pre-booked phone interpreting
- on-site interpreting
- video remote interpreting.
Eligibility
Private sector allied health professionals are eligible to access the Free Interpreting Service if they are delivering services which are:
- delivered in private practice located in an approved LGA
- delivered by a suitably qualified professional in an eligible discipline
- provided to a patient or client who is eligible for a Medicare card.
The Free Interpreting Service can be used for delivering health services, including but not limited to:
- arranging appointment times
- undertaking health consultations
- providing therapy
- developing health plans.
The Free Interpreting Service cannot be used for:
- patients who are not eligible for a Medicare card
- state-funded public health services, such as services provided in hospitals.
Access to the FIS will be available to eligible private sector allied health professionals providing services in the following local government areas (LGAs), based on areas of low English proficiency:
Eligible LGAs
| Jurisdiction | LGA |
| 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 |
What if I’m not located in a listed local government area?
The expansion of the FIS to include allied health professionals is a program limited to the 32 LGAs listed above.
Allied health professionals ineligible for access to the FIS can still access interpreting on a fee-paying basis by completing TIS National's client registration form.
Allied health professionals that are registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can open an NDIS-funded account with TIS National to support NDIS participants. Please contact the TIS Client Engagement team on 1300 655 820 or tispromo@homeaffairs.gov.au for further details.
Eligible disciplines
Under the FIS, eligible private sector allied health professionals in the following disciplines can access free interpreting:
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When registering for the service, TIS National will need to check that you are qualified in one of the above professions. For example, for nationally regulated professionals, you will need to provide your AHPRA membership number. For self-regulated professions, TIS National will check that you have the appropriate registration with the relevant professional association.
Register for a client code
Each allied health professional will need a unique client code to access the service. To apply for a client code, complete the online application form.
If you require assistance with registering or have queries about eligibility, contact TIS National’s Free Interpreting Service team.
More information
- Read: about the FIS: tisnational.gov.au/FIS
- Read: about how to access TIS National’s online booking system TIS Online
- Order: free promotional materials from the online TIS National catalogue: tisnational.gov.au/promomaterials
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Download the PDF version of the Free Interpreting Service - allied health professionals information sheet
Download the DOC version of the Free Interpreting Service - allied health professionals information sheet
