TIS National provides language services to the Australian community. This includes people with no or limited English language skills, agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their clients. This ensures that even in evolving public health circumstances, Australian Government’s programs and services are accessible by all eligible Australians, responsive to their needs, and deliver equitable outcomes, regardless of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

As the coronavirus is first and foremost a public health issue, the Australian Government Department of Health is working across agencies and with states and territories to implement measures to manage the risk of COVID-19.

Keep up to date

• Department of Health

• Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080

• Department of Home Affairs travel restrictions, visas, visitor information

Our Interpreter Liaison team communicates regularly with interpreters about COVIDSafe requirements through various channels, including our online interpreter portal, interpreter newsletter, email and telephone.

Based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, we have informed interpreters that they must be vaccinated against influenza before undertaking any interpreting assignments in aged care facilities. Interpreters who choose not to receive an influenza vaccination this year will not be able to perform on-site assignments in aged care facilities.

TIS National encourages its interpreters to comply with agency instructions for their own safety and that of others. This may involve answering specific screening questions relating to their recent health and travel, as well as possible temperature testing.

TIS National supports clients who require interpreters to answer health screening questions prior to the commencement of a booked on-site assignment. Once an interpreter is allocated, the client can email these questions to our Service Delivery Team at: tis@homeaffairs.gov.au

TIS National will forward health screening questions to the interpreter and provide the interpreter’s response to the client prior to the assignment. Clients may also consider other COVID Safe options such as pre-booking a phone interpreter, or accessing our immediate phone interpreting service or Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS).

Should you require any further information or clarification, please contact our Client Engagement Team at: tispromo@homeaffairs.gov.au