DIMA Annual Report 1998-99
Sub-program 4.3: Settlement and Language Services
Performance outcomes
(vi) Translating and Interpreting Service
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) helps migrants with limited English skills gain access to services provided by governments and community agencies. TIS offers varied employment opportunities for around 2000 independent contractors, proficient in more than 100 community languages.
It provides an around-the-clock telephone interpreting service on its national telephone number 131 450. Face-to-face on-site interpreting and document translation services are available during local business hours.
Through TIS, the Department meets community service obligations by providing translations of crucial documents-free of charge-to new permanent resident arrivals in their first two years of settlement.
The Department also bears the cost of free TIS interpreting services provided to community-based non-profit organisations and for medical consultations covered by Medicare. There is a quota for the number of free jobs per day.
Highest demand languages in 1998-99 included Arabic, Serbian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Croatian, Spanish, Bosnian, Russian and Persian. The languages in greatest demand have been similar for the past three years, although the order has varied slightly.
During the year TIS continued to focus on four goals: maintaining strategic directions and priorities in accordance with Government policy, improving client-service delivery, reducing costs, and increasing revenue.
TIS services delivered in 1989-99
| Service | Community Service Obligations |
User pays activities |
| Telephone interpreting calls | 77 421 |
129 394 |
| On-site interpreting assignments | 28 492 |
60 436 |
| Translation tasks | 8 286 |
13 239 |
Improvements were also made to the TIS Information System (TISIS) during the year resulting in more sophisticated contractor management and job allocation functions and ensuring systems are Year 2000 compliant.
During the year TIS began negotiating a service agreement with Multicultural Affairs Queensland (on behalf of the Queensland Government) covering the provision of interpreting services to specified Queensland Government agencies. The agreement is expected to be in place in the first half of the 1999-2000 financial year.
TIS played a significant role in arranging and providing language services associated with the displaced Kosovars accommodated at the temporary safe haven sites.
Consistent with the Government's stated intention to put TIS on a commercial basis, steps are being taken to improve the Department's administration of funds currently used by TIS to provide free-of-charge interpreting and translating services.
The process will involve separating management of the policy governing free services from the operations of TIS.
Regulating the Interpreting and Translating Profession: The Regulatory Impact Statement
At its November 1998 meeting, the Standing Committee of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs considered its response to two reports: Regulating the Interpreting and Translating Profession: The Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and the Final Report.
A model for self regulation of the translating and interpreting industry was tabled at the April 1999 meeting of the Ministerial Council of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Its implementation is now in the hands of individual jurisdictions.
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
During 1998-99, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) completed an overhaul of its information technology system. The Commonwealth provided assistance with this project.
In the light of new arrangements for financial management reporting, performance indicators are being developed with NAATI in relation to the Commonwealth contribution. Indicators will focus on the number of language tests NAATI offers across Australia.