Examples of responsive government services
On this page
Governments at all levels are responding to Australia's cultural and linguistic diversity.
Providing translating and interpreting services
Office of Multicultural Affairs, Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Interpreter and Translator Service (NTITS) provides on-site interpreting and translating services throughout the Northern Territory.
- These services are provided free of charge to migrants when they access Northern Territory Government services
- In 2003/2004 NTITS provided 4,681 language services (on-site interpreting: 3,833 and translations: 848) to government and non-government agencies, individuals and businesses.
See: www.multicultural.nt.gov.au
Consulting with community groups
City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne held meetings and focus groups with diverse community organisations, advocacy agencies and members of the community to assist in the development of its 2004 Multicultural Strategy.
The community was invited to participate by advertising placed in the ethnic media and local papers, and by direct mail, email and fact sheets translated into nine languages.
Using staff skills
Australian Trade Commission
- Austrade is represented in 117 locations across 58 countries.
- More than 50 per cent of it's workforce is engaged overseas and a large number of those staff are bilingual or multilingual.
- Many positions based in Australia require language skills to assist non-English speakers where required.
- Austrade maintains an internal database of staff languages so it can utilise the language skills of its staff.
- Austrade pays a language allowance to enable bilingual employees to maintain their language skills.
See: www.austrade.gov.au