Frequently Asked Questions for non-English speakers

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting services to people who do not speak English and to agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. These services enable non-English speakers to independently access services and information in Australia.

We contract more than 2600 interpreters across Australia in more than 150 different languages.

Non-English speakers can access immediate telephone interpreters through TIS National by calling 131 450.

Alternatively, if you contact an organisation directly they may organise an interpreter on your behalf.

Over 60,000 agency clients, including the Department of Home Affairs, are registered with TIS National. Some of our other clients include:

• state and federal government departments
• local councils
• medical and health practitioners
• pharmacists
• utility companies
• telecommunication companies
• emergency services
• legal services
• settlement and community service providers

TIS National provides interpreting services 24 hours, every day of the year.

The organisation you contact may only be available during their regular business hours and business hours will vary between organisations.

Most organisations in Australia operate during standard business hours between 9 am–5 pm, Monday to Friday. Many organisations will not be available on public holidays.

When you call TIS National you will be greeted by an English-speaking TIS National operator who will ask what language interpreter you need. After you have requested a language, you will be placed on hold while the operator searches for an available interpreter. Please stay on the line even if there is no hold music.

If an interpreter in your language is available, the operator will connect you with the interpreter and ask you which organisation you need to contact. Please have the name of the organisation, their contact phone number and your client or account number with the organisation (if any) ready when you call TIS National.

Our operators must remain impartial and cannot recommend which organisation you should contact. When you are connected with an interpreter, the interpreter will not engage in informal conversation with you as they are required to remain impartial during all interpreting assignments.

The interpreter will tell the TIS National operator who you need to contact and the operator will proceed to call and connect you and the interpreter to the organisation requested.

If no interpreter is available in your language, the operator will ask you to call back soon. If you speak more than one language, you may like to request an interpreter in another language.

If you realise you know the interpreter, it is your decision if you want to continue the interpreting session. If you do not want to continue with the same interpreter, tell the TIS National operator or the organisation and discontinue the call.

Yes. If you would prefer an interpreter of a particular gender, tell the TIS National operator or organisation you are contacting as soon as possible. TIS National will try to provide you with an interpreter of the requested gender.

No. TIS National assigns work to interpreters on the basis of National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)  credential (qualification) level and availability to ensure you receive the most qualified available interpreter. TIS National cannot assign work to an interpreter on the basis of cultural background or religion.

Yes. TIS National provides on-site interpreting services. If you need an on-site interpreter, you should contact the organisation you need to communicate with through TIS National using a phone interpreter and ask them to organise an on-site interpreter for you.

Always call 000 directly if you need to contact emergency Ambulance, Police or Fire services. The 000 emergency services line will call TIS National and connect you with an interpreter using a priority line 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Yes. The majority of TIS National interpreting services are free for non-English speakers. Generally the organisation you are contacting will accept the charges for the service. Some organisations and medical practitioners are eligible for free interpreting through TIS National.

Some organisations may not accept calls from TIS National, however if you call the organisation directly they may be able to call you back with a phone interpreter.

If you want to contact an organisation that is not a TIS National client and the organisation is not willing to accept the charges for the service, you may choose to create a personal account and pay for the service yourself. To do this, tell the interpreter and our operators will assist you to create an account with TIS National. You will need a credit card to create a personal account.

No. TIS National does not provide a commercial document translation service.

The Department of Home Affairs provides a free document translating service for people settling permanently in Australia. Permanent residents and select temporary or provisional visa holders are able to have up to ten eligible documents translated, into English, within the first two years of their eligible visa grant date.

More information about the Free Translating Service is available at www.translating.homeaffairs.gov.au/en

You can find information about other translation options by contacting the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

You can use a TIS National interpreter most effectively by:

• preparing all of the information you need for your call before calling TIS National
• being patient and waiting for the interpreter to finish interpreting before speaking again
• using short sentences
• avoiding using slang or jargon that the may be difficult to translate
• understanding the role of the interpreter
• not asking the interpreter for advice or to advocate for you
• notifying the interpreter, organisation or TIS National immediately if you are having diff iculty understanding the interpreter.

The interpreter’s role is to interpret the spoken word in your language as accurately as possible.

Interpreters do not provide advice and should not ask questions other than what is requested by a TIS National operator or the person you are communicating with.

TIS National interpreters are bound by a strict code of ethics. The code governs their professional behaviour and covers various obligations which include:

• professional conduct
• confidentiality
• competence
• impartiality
• accuracy
• clarity of role boundaries
• maintaining professional relationships
• professional development
• professional solidarity

More information about the code of ethics is available from the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT).

TIS National is the language service provider in the Department of Home Affairs. The Global Feedback Unit (GFU) is the central point for receiving all departmental feedback, including services provided by TIS National. 

In TIS National, we value feedback from our clients, as it helps us to improve our work and enhances the quality of interpreting services that we deliver to government, business and communities, through the provision of credentialed, cost-effective and secure language services. 

TIS National clients with limited or no English language skills can submit feedback about TIS National services online or via telephone. To give feedback online, please access the Department’s Compliments, complaints and suggestions. If you require an interpreter, please call TIS National on 131 450 and tell the operator you would like to give feedback about TIS National. Our operators will document your feedback and refer it to the relevant team in TIS National for action.

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides free English language tuition to eligible migrants to help them settle and participate in the Australian community.

The AMEP is available to migrants over 18 years old from the family, skilled and humanitarian visa streams, which includes holders of permanent visas as well some temporary visas. Dependents on eligible visas are able to study and migrants 15-17 years old can also participate in some circumstances. Free child care is available for face to face classes, for people with children under school age.

The AMEP has a range of flexible learning options to help you learn English, including face-to-face (COVID-safe) classes, online classes, a volunteer tutor scheme and distance learning. Full time, part-time, evening and weekend classes may be available depending on where you live.

To find out how to begin learning English for free, contact your nearest AMEP provider or go to www.homeaffairs.gov.au/amep.

The Australian Government has developed a Family Safety Pack with information on Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault and forced marriage, and a woman’s right to be safe.  The pack includes four factsheets and a storyboard, translated into 46 languages.  The Family Safety Pack is available on the Department of Social Services website.