Career opportunities for interpreters

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is currently recruiting interpreters to meet the ongoing growth in demand for interpreting services in Australia.

Please note, we are currently receiving a large number of interpreter applications. You will be contacted by TIS National when your application is being processed.

Requirements for becoming a TIS National interpreter

We encourage interpreters to have accreditation at the professional level from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) where available.

To be eligible to become a TIS National interpreter you must:

  • be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia
  • be 18 years of age or older
  • have the required qualifications for the language you wish to interpret in
  • be able to provide a certified copy of a National Police History Check/National Police Certificate (NPC) dated within the past 12 months.  
  • be available to work mainly during business hours and potentially after hours as well.

Recruitment priorities at the professional level

TIS National will consider recruiting interpreters with professional level NAATI accreditation in all languages.

Recruitment priorities at any level

TIS National gives priority to recruiting interpreters who have NAATI accreditation at any level in the following languages:      

  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Assyrian
  • Bengali
  • Cantonese
  • Chaldean
  • Dari
  • Dinka
  • Greek 
  • Hazaragi
  • Hindi
  • Hungarian
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Khmer
  • Kurdish (all dialects)
  • Malay
  • Myanmar language
  • Nepali
  • Nuer
  • Oromo
  • Pashtu
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Swahili
  • Tamil
  • Thai
  • Urdu

Recruitment priorities for emerging languages

In languages where NAATI accreditation is not available, we prefer applicants with NAATI recognition.

TIS National would be interested in speaking with individuals who have an interest in working as an interpreter and have good language skills in English and one or more of the following languages:

  • Ambele
  • Anyuak
  • Cameroon Pidgin
  • Chin (all dialects)
  • Chin Haka
  • Ewe
  • Fijian
  • Hmong
  • Hokkien (Chinese)
  • Juba
  • Karen
  • Karenni
  • Kirundi
  • Kumama  
  • Liberian Pidgin
  • Loma
  • Maori
  • Mauritian Creole
  • Mon
  • Pidgin/Neo Melanesian
  • Rohinga (Rohingya)
  • Saho
  • Samona (Samoan)
  • Shona
  • Susu
  • Tongan
  • Twi

Queensland recruitment priorities

TIS National is prioritising applications from NAATI accredited interpreters living in Queensland in the following languages:

  • Arabic
  • Cantonese
  • Dari
  • Hazaragi
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Mandarin
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Tamil
  • Vietnamese

Apply to become a TIS National interpreter

If you believe you meet the criteria to become a TIS National interpreter please complete the interpreter application form and submit:

  • a certified copy of your NAATI accreditation

  • a certified copy of proof of your Australian citizenship or permanent residency

  • a certified copy of a current (less than one year old) National Police History Check/National Police Certificate (NPC)

  • your resume

  • details of any interpreting experience you have including reference letters.