What are the requirements to become an interpreter? 

TIS National contracts interpreters in more than 150 languages and always looks to appoint interpreters in line with demand from our clients. Enquiries are welcomed from Australian citizens and permanent residents who are interested in becoming interpreters.

TIS National considers appointing applicants in all languages at the Certified Interpreter (or higher) level.  All other levels of certification are subject to demand and current priorities.

To be considered for the TIS National panel of service providers you must:

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia

• be 18 years of age or older
• hold the required NAATI credentials in your language.
• a National Police History Check/National Police Certificate (NPC) dated within the past 12 months from an ACIC approved accredited body.
• be able to provide a current Working with Children/Vulnerable people Check from your state or territory of residence, where required (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and South Australia – mandatory requirement)
• certified copies of identification documentation.

I speak multiple languages. Can I interpret in all these languages?

Interpreters can only interpret in languages included in their Deed of Standing Offer with TIS National.

It is possible to join the TIS National interpreter panel in more than one language.  However, TIS National requires you to have National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certification in any additional languages (where it is available) before you can provide services in other languages.

If TIS National appoints you to provide services in more than one language, the languages you can provide services in will be listed on your TIS National identification card. 

You must not interpret for any languages not approved in your Deed of Standing Offer signed with TIS National as you may not meet the required credentials or hold the appropriate skills required for that language. 

If you think you meet the requirements to interpret in more than one language, please contact the Interpreter Liaison team.

How will I receive payments as a TIS National interpreter?

As a TIS National interpreter your pay will depend on the number of assignments offered, accepted and completed by you, so your pay will vary during each fortnightly pay cycle.

TIS National offers work to available interpreters with the highest level of National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credential first.

TIS National interpreters are contracted as individuals not as a business therefore you do not require an Australian Business Number (ABN). TIS National automatically deducts tax from interpreter pay and superannuation is paid to a superannuation fund of the interpreter’s choice.

The TIS National interpreter appointment process

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is currently appointing new service providers to its panel to meet the ongoing growth in demand for interpreting services in Australia.

Please note, we are currently receiving a large number of interpreter applications. TIS National will contact you when your application is being processed.

TIS National appointment process for new service providers:

1. Application: You submit your application, including relevant documentation to TIS National via the application form.
2. Review: In line with our current demand, a decision will made based on your qualifications, experience and availability about whether your application will progress to the next stage. Due to the large number of applications we receive each week, the assessment of your application may take some time.
3. Interview: We may conduct an interview with you. You can prepare for your interview by developing your understanding of the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) Code of Ethics and preparing some of your own examples to demonstrate your understanding of the code. 
4. Outcome: TIS National will email you about the outcome of your application.
5. Official paperwork: If your application has been found suitable you will be progressed to the next stage of our appointment process. TIS National will send you a Deed of Standing Offer to sign and paperwork which you need to complete and return to TIS National.
6. Induction: Upon receipt of your correctly executed deed and further documentation you will be invited to attend a one on one induction with a TIS National Interpreter Liaison Officer. The induction is a process that every interpreter joining the TIS National panel of service providers must complete. Induction helps our new interpreters to gain knowledge about completing assignments, how to use our systems and other important information. You will also meet a TIS National Interpreter Liaison Officer.
7. Panel appointment: After you complete the one-on-one induction session your interpreter profile will be activated, you will receive your Interpreter ID card and an SDF booklet. Congratulations you are now on the TIS National interpreter panel and can start accepting assignments.

Please note: all applications are assessed, applying is not a guarantee of acceptance to the TIS National interpreter panel. 

Our priorities for appointing new service providers

TIS National will consider appointing interpreters to the panel in any language if they hold a NAATI Certified Interpreter credential (or higher).  All other levels of certification are subject to demand and current priorities.

We are also seeking new interpreters for languages to support new and emerging communities settling in Australia.  In languages where NAATI certification is not available, we prefer applicants with a NAATI Recognised Practising interpreter credential.

Individuals who have an interest in providing interpreting services and have good language skills in English, should contact the Interpreter Liaison team to discuss further. Submitting an application is no guarantee of appointment to the TIS National panel.  All applications are subject to review.

Please contact the Interpreter Liaison team to discuss, prior to submitting your application.

Current Highest Priority

We are seeking to appoint service providers in Regional areas.

TIS National is experiencing an increase in demand for interpreting services in the below languages.

TIS National will prioritise applications from interpreters who hold a NAATI Recognised Practicing Interpreter credential or higher in the following languages: 

• Albanian
• Czech
• Danish
• Dinka
• Filipino (alt Tagalog)
• Gujarati 
• Hakha Chin
• Hungarian 
• Khmer
• Lao
• Lithuanian
• Macedonian
• Maltese
• Oromo
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Spanish
• Swahili
• Thai
• Turkish
• Urdu

 TIS National will consider and prioritise applications from interpreters who do not yet hold NAATI credentials in the following languages:

• Afrikaans
• Anuak (alt Anyuak)
• Arakanese (alt Rakhinz)
• Asante [Dialect of Twi]
• Assamese
• Baluchi (alt Balochi) 
• Bassa
• Bislama
• Cameroon Pidgin
• Cook Island Maori (alt Rarotongan)
• Dan (alt Gio)
• Dzongkha
• Esan
• Flemish
• Fijian
• Ga
• Georgian
• Gikuyu (alt Kikuyu)
• Hassaniyya (alt Hassani/Hasanya)
• Hindustani
• Hiri Motu
• Hmong
• Idi
• Ilocano (alt Iloko)
• Javanese
• Kayah (alt Karenni)
• Khumi Chin 
• Kiribati (alt Gilbertese) 
• Kono [Sierra Leone]
• Kpelle [Liberia]
• Kuanua (alt Tolai)
• Kunama
• Loko
• Loma [Liberia]
• Malayalam
• Maori
• Mauritian Creole
• Mongolian
• Moru
• Motu
• Mundari
• Nauruan
• Ngoni (alt Kingoni)
• Nuer
• Pukapuka
• Pular [Guinea]
• Pijin (alt Solomons Pidgin) 
• Sango
• Samoan
• Scottish Gaelic 
• Shilluk
• Sorbian (alt Wendish) 
• Southern Sotho [Lesotho]
• Telugu
• Tetun (alt Tetum)
• Tibetan
• Tigre
• Tiv
• Tokelauan
• Tok Pisin
• Tongan
• Ukranian
• Uyghur
• Uzbek
• Yiddish
• Yoruba [Nigeria] 
• Zaghawa
• Zotung Chin
• Zulu