TIS Online - Managing jobs made easy for interpreters
Assignment information for interpreters
How many assignments will I receive from TIS National?
When do I need to be available to work as an interpreter?
TIS Online - Managing jobs made easy for interpreters
As a TIS National interpreter, you are automatically registered with a TIS Online account to manage your pre-booked, video remote and on-site jobs. Visit login to TIS Online page to get started.
TIS Online is a self-service booking tool that allows our interpreters to accept, manage and monitor all of their interpreter bookings. There is a range of benefits to using TIS Online:
- Stay connected wherever you go: TIS Online works on mobile devices, allowing you to manage your bookings anywhere, anytime.
- Have more control over your schedule: In TIS Online you can see the jobs that are available at the times you are free allowing you to better manage your schedule.
- Return, finalise or vary your jobs: You can return, finalise, vary or dispute your jobs easily through TIS Online within the relevant timeframes.
- Keeping you informed: TIS Online automatically sends you notifications via email when new jobs become available, your allocated job details are updated or important messaging through TIS National alerts.
- Easily update your details and availability: You can quickly and easily update your availability and personal details in your TIS Online account.
A guide to TIS Online for interpreters is an instructional guide that provides an overview of the functionality of TIS Online.
Download the PDF version
When logged into TIS Online, there is a range of additional help and support information available.
Alternatively you can contact the Service Delivery team for assistance. This team is available during standard business hours. For urgent enquiries outside of these hours, please call the TIS National contact centre on 131 450.
Assignment information for interpreters
Assignments offered will depend on the requests we receive from our clients. The duration of assignments, the location of assignments and the type of client you are providing services is based in the client request TIS National receives.
Whenever you accept interpreting assignments, you are required to abide by the terms of your Deed of Standing Offer, the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and the TIS National Code of Ethics and Conduct.
TIS National assignments are provided to a range of clients and agencies including:
- emergency services
- medical and health practitioners
- government departments
- legal services
- telecommunications companies
- utility companies
- settlement and community service providers.
TIS National may offer you the following types of interpreting assignments:
Immediate phone interpreting
Immediate phone interpreting is when an agency client or a non-English speaker calls TIS National and requests to be connected to an interpreter immediately. The immediate phone service is regularly used in emergency situations.
This service allows non-English speakers to independently access services when they need them. The service contributes to the whole-of-government Access and Equity strategy.
To be offered immediate telephone assignments you need to log in to the Automated Telephone Service (ATIS). The ATIS system enables interpreters to be verified when logging in and to confirm preferred availability. You may also be offered an immediate assignment if you are showing as available in TIS Online.
A TIS National operator will call you when an immediate phone interpreting assignment is available.
You always should log out of the ATIS system when you are not available for immediate phone interpreting assignments, including when you have pre-booked assignments scheduled.
Pre-booked phone interpreting
The pre-booked phone interpreting service is available for agency clients to book a phone interpreter in advance of an appointment.
If you have accepted a pre-booked phone assignment TIS National will provide some basic details about the assignment. You must be available and ready to answer the call at the arranged time, and remain available for the entire duration of the booked period.
When you accept a pre-booked phone assignment you may also be requested to review some briefing material in preparation for the assignment.
When completing any type of phone interpreting you may:
- need to facilitate communication between the non-English speaker and the TIS National operator
- be required to assist the agency or the non-English speaker to call a third party
- be put on loud speaker if the agency is in a room with the non-English speaker.
Video remote interpreting
Video remote interpreting allows you to connect with an agency via a video conferencing platform rather than attend the assignment in person or via phone.
The agency will provide the meeting link in the job details in TIS Online. It will be your responsibility to ensure you have the correct video conferencing platform downloaded and working.
On-site interpreting
The on-site interpreting service is available for agency clients to book an interpreter to attend an appointment face-to-face. When using a phone interpreter would not be suitable, a client may request for you to visit their location. This could include:
- a private residence
- an office
- a facility such as a police station or hospital
- a court
- or another location as requested by the agency client.
When accepting and attending onsite assignments, you will be expected to dress professionally.
How many assignments will I receive from TIS National?
When you have been appointed to the TIS National panel you can choose your hours of work and whether to accept or decline assignments TIS National offers you.
TIS National offers assignments to available interpreters with the highest level of National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credential first.
The number of assignments offered to service providers is based on demand from our clients and can vary based on a variety of factors. We cannot guarantee the volume of assignments you may be offered. However, we encourage Interpreters to be logged in whenever available.
When do I need to be available to work as an interpreter?
TIS National encourages interpreters to be available for work between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. This is when TIS National receives the majority of our calls from clients.
TIS National provides services 24 hours a day, every day of the year so you may still be able to accept work outside of these hours.
Interpreters can choose to accept or decline work offered from TIS National.
Please contact TIS National if you require further assistance or have queries about TIS National interpreting assignments.