This output provides for an interpreter to go to a specified location when a client requires face-to-face interpreting.

Description

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) arranges for interpreters to provide face-to-face interpreting when required. The service is used by the department’s clients as well as government agencies and service providers. Through TIS National interpreters attend specific locations at pre-booked times.

Performance

Demand for on-site interpreting services increased slightly during 2008–09, reversing the trend of recent years. A total of 44 477 on-site assignments were completed, compared to 41 865 in 2007–08.

A major part of the increase resulted from the provision of interpreters to Christmas Island as part of the department’s response to irregular maritime arrivals.

TIS National was able to confirm 91.1 per cent of its on-site bookings within three days of the booking request, which was above the 85 per cent target.

The proportion of interpreting assignments performed by interpreters with accreditation or recognition from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) was 82.9 per cent, compared to a target of 90 per cent. This can be attributed principally to the higher proportion of on-site assignments in recently introduced community languages, where NAATI accreditation or recognition is not readily available.

The 10 languages most in demand for on-site services were (in descending order): Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Persian, Cantonese, Serbian, Turkish, Dari, Spanish and Bosnian.