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NAATI credentials explained

TIS National is guided by NAATI to ensure clients are provided with the highest credentialed practitioner available.

NAATI credentials explained

Understanding credentials
Interpreting credentials
Translating credentials

Understanding credentials

Credentials from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) are the only qualifications officially accepted for the language services profession in Australia.

Some translators & interpreters are referred to as 'Nil-credentialed'. This occurs in languages where NAATI does not offer certification or recognised practising status. This is generally in low demand languages or languages spoken in new and emerging communities. These practitioners undergo assessment by TIS National including reference checking processes to ensure their work is of a high standard.

Interpreting credentials

There are five main levels of interpreter credentials available through NAATI:

  • Certified Conference Interpreter
  • Certified Specialist Health/Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter
  • Certified Interpreter
  • Certified Provisional Interpreter
  • Recognised Practising Interpreter

TIS National allocates interpreters in order of the tiered preferences below:

Tier 1.

Certified Conference Interpreter

Certified Conference Interpreters transfer highly complex, specialised messages from a source language into a target language. Suitable for international or high level events and meetings involving conference type settings, which require consecutive or simultaneous interpreting across a broad range of domains.

When required, Certified Conference Interpreters use interpreting booths and equipment to deliver specialised services.

Certified Specialist Health/Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter

Certified Specialist Interpreters are experienced and accomplished interpreters who are experts in health or legal domains, including relevant codes of ethics and professional standards in these fields. Suitable for settings that need either specialised health/medical terminology or specialised legal terminology interpreting.

Tier 2.

Certified Interpreter

The Certified Interpreter is a higher level generalist interpreter. Certified Interpreters can work with complex but non-specialised content in most situations. Suitable for general conversations and interpreting non-specialist dialogues.

Tier 3.

Certified Provisional Interpreter

Certified Provisional Interpreters transfer non-complex, non-specialised messages from a source language into a target language to accurately reflect the meaning. Suitable for general conversations and interpreting non-specialist dialogues.

Tier 4.

Recognised Practising Interpreter

A Recognised Practising credential is granted in low demand languages and languages of new and emerging communities where testing is not available. Interpreters with this credential have recent and regular experience as an interpreter and are required to complete regular professional development. Suitable for general conversations and interpreting non-specialist dialogues.

Tier 5.

Nil-credentialed

Suitable for general conversations when no higher credentialed interpreters are available.

For languages where certification is not available, TIS National may be able to allocate a Recognised Practising or nil-credentialed interpreter.

Translating credentials

There are two levels of translator credentials available through NAATI:

  • Certified Translator 
  • Recognised Practising Translator

TIS National allocates translators in order of the tiered preferences below:

Tier 1.

Certified Translator

Certified Translators can work with complex but non-specialised content in most situations. NAATI’s Certified Translator test is an objective assessment of the skills and competencies needed to practice as a translator in Australia. It is the highest credential available for translators under the Certification System.

Tier 2.

Recognised Practising Translator

Recognised Practising Translator credential acknowledges that the holder has met the prerequisites and has work experience as a translator. There is no test required to be granted one of these credentials, but applicants must provide evidence of work practice.

For languages where certification is not available, TIS National may be able to allocate a nil-credentialed translator.

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