We speak your language

TIS National has a panel of credentialed interpreters speaking more than 150 languages. The language list is updated as new language services become available. TIS National regularly appoints new interpreters to our panel to meet ongoing demand and to build capacity in languages spoken in new and emerging communities settling in Australia.

Language credentials

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

TIS National adheres to the TIS National Allocation Policy when allocating an interpreter to your booking. You may wish to specify your preferred credential level when making your pre-booked phone, video remote or on-site interpreter bookings.

Read more about how TIS National allocates interpreters based on credential levels on the NAATI credentials explained page.

Available languages

This list displays languages currently available through TIS National.

Language listing policy

TIS National aims to have a language list which is consistent with NAATI’s language names wherever possible. We also use Ethnologue: Languages of the World as our primary reference source for information on world languages. Ethnologue is a comprehensive reference publication that catalogues all known living languages. It draws on the expertise of hundreds of linguists and researchers from around the world. It is revised regularly to maintain the most accurate, relevant and up-to-date information and statistics on all world languages. 

TIS National recognises that language matters can be complex and occasionally opinions differ, even among experts and native speakers. This is particularly relevant when determining which languages to recognise and which names to use in our language list. The TIS National Language Listing Policy sets out the criteria we consider when recognising or naming languages in our language list. This ensures there is clear and consistent identification of languages. 

Where NAATI offers credentials in a language, TIS National will generally adopt the language name used by NAATI. Where NAATI has not awarded credentials in a language, TIS National will generally adopt the language name stated by Ethnologue. In cases where an Australian Government policy mandates a specific language name, TIS National will adopt this name in our language list. 

TIS National may also choose to add alternative names to the primary name. This assists TIS National contact centre staff and agency clients in selecting the language needed for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Factors we may consider include:

• how widespread use of an alternative name is (i.e. is it in regular common usage in the community and understood across most or all of the geographic area where the language is spoken)
• the official naming conventions within the country(s) where the language is spoken.

TIS National may also add references (such as macrolanguage, region, country of origin or language from which a dialect stems) to a language name to assist in identifying the language.