Interpreters
TIS National
A telephone interpreter service (TIS National) is provided by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Home Affairs. For assistance, onsite interpreting services, or to book an interpreter, contact TIS.
The interpreter service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is arranged through a network of on-call interpreters. More than 150 languages are available, although there may sometimes be a delay while an interpreter is located.
TIS National provides free interpreting services to non-English speaking Australian citizens or permanent residents communicating with approved groups and individuals, such as medical practitioners, pharmacies, NGOs providing casework or emergency services, real estate agencies, local government authorities, trade unions, parliamentarians and eligible allied health professionals .
The service is not a referral agency, but helps non- English speakers with communication problems in matters that could develop into a crisis situation. It can be used by migrants directly or by people seeking to advise them who, because of language difficulties, cannot understand the problem or communicate the advice.
TIS National Telephone interpreter service:
Tel: 13 14 50 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Email: tis@homeaffairs.gov.au
Web: www.tisnational.gov.au
