Free Services Through TIS National

Free interpreting services

The Australian Government, through TIS National, provides free interpreting services to non-English speaking Australian citizens and permanent residents communicating with the following approved groups and individuals:

• private medical practitioners (defined as General Practitioners and Medical Specialists) providing Medicare-rebateable services and their reception staff to arrange appointments and provide results of medical tests
  See: Medical Board of Australia-Medical Specialities and Speciality Fields
• non-profit, non-government, community-based organisations for case work and emergency services where the organisation does not receive funding to provide these services
  Note: Organisations that require language services (such as interpreting) and receive government funding should incorporate the cost of these services into their application for funding
• Members of Parliament for constituency purposes
• local government authorities to communicate with non-English speaking residents on issues such as rates, garbage collection and urban services
• trade unions to respond to members' enquiries or requests
• Emergency Management Australia
• pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications.

Non-profit, non-government, community-based organisations can apply for a fee exemption for calls through TIS National. Please download and complete the 'Application for exemption from TIS charges' form. Emailed applications are preferred however if faxed please address:
Attention: TIS National Client Liaison and Promotions.
See: Application for exemption from TIS charges ( 67KB PDF file)
Email: tispromo@immi.gov.au
Fax: 1300 654 151

If you have questions about your eligibility for free interpreting, please contact the TIS National Client Liaison and Promotions team.
Telephone: 1300 655 820
Email: tispromo@immi.gov.au

Free translating service

The Australian Government also provides a free translating service, through TIS National, for people settling permanently in Australia. Permanent residents, eligible temporary/provisional visa holders and Australian citizens are able to have personal documents translated into English during their initial two year settlement period.

Detailed information about the free translating service is available online.
See: Help with Translations

Doctors Priority Line

The Doctors Priority Line is a free telephone interpreting service which helps medical practitioners to communicate with their non-English speaking patients.

General practitioners and specialists can use the Doctors Priority Line when providing services that are:

• claimable under Medicare
• delivered in private practices
• provided to non-English speakers who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

The Doctors Priority Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Doctors who are not currently registered for the Doctors Priority Line who meet the above criteria can arrange access to the service with TIS National by filling out an online registration form.
See: Medical Practitioners Free Interpreting Registration Form

The form is also available to download as a PDF file which can be faxed or posted as per instructions on the form.
See: Medical Practitioners Request Form for TIS National Client Code ( 41KB PDF file)

Telephone interpreting service for pharmacies

Free interpreting services are available to pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications. This scheme is aimed at assisting pharmacists to communicate with people about the proper use of medications.

To date more than 1200 pharmacies have registered for use of the service.

Lists of the pharmacies that have registered for the use of the service are available by state and territory.
See:
ACT registered pharmacies ( 16KB PDF file)
NSW registered pharmacies ( 95KB PDF file)
NT registered pharmacies ( 25KB PDF file)
QLD registered pharmacies ( 96KB PDF file)
SA registered pharmacies ( 60KB PDF file)
TAS registered pharmacies ( 33KB PDF file)
VIC registered pharmacies (100KB PDF file)
WA registered pharmacies ( 58KB PDF file)

Note: The lists of pharmacies that have registered for these services are not an Australian Government endorsement (either implied or otherwise) of these businesses. Please refer to the department's websites disclaimer for more information.
See: Copyright and Disclaimer

If your local pharmacy is not listed you can ask them to register for free interpreting services. The pharmacy can register for the services with TIS National by filling out an online form.
See: Medical Practitioners Free Interpreting Registration Form

The form is also available to download as a PDF file which can be faxed or posted as per instructions on the form.
See: Medical Practitioners Request Form for TIS National Client Code ( 41KB PDF file)