How much does it cost to get my documents translated?

If you are asking this questions then you are in the wrong place. NAATI is the accreditation and testing body. NAATI does not provide translating or interpreting services, we do however provide a large database of people who perform translating and interpreting services in our online database. Alternately you can look through your local Yellow pages or contact one of the professional bodies listed in our Links section.

I have downloaded a form, how do I view/print it?

All downloadable forms are in the Adobe PDF format. The viewer for these files is freely available at the Adobe website here.

How do I pay electronically/by paypal/direct debit?

NAATI currently does not support any form of payment other than Credit Cards, Bank Cheques/International Draft, Business Cheques (organisations only)vand Australian Money Orders. NAATI does not accept personal cheques, they will be returned with a request for an alternate method of payment.

Why don't you accept personal cheques?

Because our products and services are priced on a cost recovery basis NAATI does not operate on a sufficient budget to continually recover the costs incurred by bad cheques.

I sent you my cheque from the cheque book I got from the bank. Why did you return it?

You are misunderstanding what we mean by a Bank Cheque. A bank cheque is a cheque that you purchase directly from a bank, when it is cashed in the bank pays.

A personal cheque is a cheque that draws money from your personal account, when it is cashed the money comes from your account.

What is NAATI?

NAATI is a public company limited by guarantee. It has responsibility for setting and maintaining the standards of interpreting and translation in Australia.

When was it established?

NAATI was first established in 1977 as part of the Commonwealth Department of Immigration. In 1983, it was devolved from the Department of Immigration and became an independent public company incorporated under the ACT Companies Act 1981. It is currently constituted under the Corporations ACT 2001.

What is NAATI accreditation and how can it be obtained?

NAATI Accreditation is an award based on a measure of competency in translation and/or interpreting. More information on obtaining accreditation is found here.

What is the difference between interpreting and translation?

Interpreting is the oral rendering of the meaning of the spoken or signed word from one language into another language. Translation is concerned with the written conversion of a text from one language into another language.

What are the levels of accreditation?

There are four levels of NAATI accreditation for interpreting and translation. These are:

Level	Level Code
Conference Interpreter (Senior)	CIS
Advanced Translator (Senior)	ATS
Conference Interpreter	CI
Advanced Translator	AT
Interpreter	I
Translator	T
Paraprofessional Interpreter	PPI
Paraprofessional Translator	PPT

 

What is the standard for each level of accreditation and what can be expected from interpreters and translators at each level of accreditation?

All accreditation standards can be found here.

Does NAATI charge fees for candidates seeking to gain accreditation?

Yes. NAATI operates on a fee-for-service basis. NAATI charges an initial application fee together with scaled fees for particular tests, workshops and publications.

What publications are available from NAATI which relate to the profession and which might help me in gaining accreditation?

NAATI has a list of publications particularly useful for those wanting to obtain accreditation. Refer to the Publications & Products page for more information.

What sample tests are available and how much do they cost? How do I get a sample test?

For details on availability and prices of sample tests please refer to the Publications and Test Preparation Products Order Form. This form lists all languages with sample tests available.

Are there NAATI offices throughout Australia?

NAATI has an office in each capital city in Australia and also has representatives in three New Zealand cities. Please note that some offices are only open part-time. See the Contact Us page for details.

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How do I apply for accreditation by testing?

You need to complete and return an Application for Accreditation by Testingtogether with your application fee and documents proving your eligibility to sit the test according to the criteria published by NAATI.

How do I know which level of testing I am eligible to sit for?

You will need to have a degree or diploma (in any subject) to be eligible to sit NAATI tests at the professional level, i.e. Interpreter and Translator. However, there are exceptions to this rule in the case of applications at the Translator level.

To be eligible to sit the Paraprofessional Interpreter and (where available) the Paraprofessional Translator test it is advisable that you have four (4) to six (6) years general education at secondary level. Full details of the eligibility criteria for testing at all levels of accreditation are shown in the Application for Accreditation by Testingand in theManual for Candidates.

I am eligible to sit the Translator test - why not the Interpreter test as well?

The eligibility criteria for the Translator test have been broadened to allow for the fact that NAATI does not offer tests at the paraprofessional level in most languages. In the case of interpreting, those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the professional level are able to sit the test at the paraprofessional level.

How can I find out whether there is work available to see if it is worthwhile sitting the test?

You might consider checking employment opportunities in translation or interpreting at government and private agencies near you, e.g. the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS), the Health Care Interpreter Service, health interpreter services at hospitals, and translation and/or interpreting agencies.

My language is not tested by NAATI. Is there an alternative?

NAATI offers a general award called Recognition as an alternative credential to Accreditation in languages for which no accreditation tests are available. It is important to note, however, that Recognition does not have equal status to Accreditation because NAATI has not had the opportunity to measure a person's skills by means of formal assessment. Recognition is a statement that the eligible holder has had specific employment and work experience in interpreting and/or translating. An application for NAATI Recognition must meet the eligibility criteria and be supported by satisfactory employer references, as specified in the prerequisites listed on the Application for Recognition. It is also important to note that the award of Recognition becomes invalid as soon as NAATI provides the opportunity for Recognised interpreters and translators to become accredited by testing.

I have extensive work experience as a translator or interpreter. Do I have to sit a test or can I have automatic accreditation?

It is important to note that NAATI does not award accreditation on the basis of work experience alone. If the language in which you practise is not available within the NAATI Accreditation testing program, you may be eligible for NAATI Recognition (see previous question). The only other exception to this rule is at the most senior level of accreditation involving long and comprehensive experience in conference interpreting and translating which can be fully documented.

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What are the steps involved in gaining accreditation by testing?

1. Send the application form and application fee BY MAIL to NAATI Central Office (Canberra).
2. Your application will be processed and acknowledged within 2 weeks.
3. You will receive an invitation for testing when the test is next scheduled.
4. Return the acceptance form contained in the invitation package and test fee to your NAATI Regional Office.
5. The Regional Office will schedule your test and notify you about the time, date and venue of the test.
6. If successful in the test you will gain accreditation.

Read the pages on Steps to Accreditation by Testing for more information

How many times can I sit for the same level of testing and in the same language?

Candidates are given three (3) opportunities to sit for the same test and in the same language. After this a candidate will need to seek reinstatement.Each time the test is sat, the appropriate fee must be paid.

Why do I have to pay a reinstatement fee?

NAATI believes that if a candidate is competent and well prepared he or she should be able to gain accreditation within the three chances to sit the same test in the same language. A reinstatement fee is charged by NAATI to reassess the status of a candidate before that candidate is allowed another set of three chances.

Does NAATI offer accreditation in only one language direction?

Candidates can sit the Translator Test and the Advanced Translator Test in either language direction and gain separate accreditation, i.e. translation from Chinese into English or English into Chinese. Interpreting test accreditation is always in both directions. For example a Vietnamese interpreter, having successfully sat the Vietnamese Paraprofessional Interpreter Test will be accredited in both language directions.

At the Conference Interpreter level accreditation may be awarded in a single direction.

What is NAATI's policy regarding invitations to candidates for sitting a test?

Candidates apply for accreditation and in response NAATI provides those candidates with up to three invitations. Candidates for translation are invited in mid September to sit in late November of that same year. Candidates for interpreting tests are invited in January to sit for an interpreting test scheduled between late March and June.

Why does NAATI invite its applicants to sit for a test?

An invitation formalises each opportunity in a sequence of testing programs. Candidates are free to reject the invitation and provided they notify NAATI in writing, that opportunity for testing will not be forfeited.

My test invitation hasn't arrived. Will I miss the test?

There may be a reason for not receiving an invitation.

1. Your language and level may not be part of the current testing program.
2. You may have changed your postal address without notifying NAATI.
3. Your invitation may have gone astray in the mail.
4. Or you may have lost the three opportunities because of a combination of either a fail result or by not notifying NAATI of your intention not to sit the test previously.

You should contact the NAATI Canberra Office for more information.

When will my interpreting test be held?

Normally interpreting tests are held between March and June of each year. However if you have requested a special test, this can be sat at any time.Because interpreting tests are conducted individually and languages are scheduled after tests have been approved, it is not possible to provide a specific date for your test as early as February. The NAATI State Manager will contact you after you have returned the acceptance form and test fee to arrange a time, date and venue for your test. You will get at least two (2) weeks notice of these details.

I am going to be away etc. during the advertised Interpreting testing period. Can I request a particular date (or range of dates) when I could sit for my interpreting test within the March to June scheduled testing period?

The NAATI State Manager is responsible for scheduling all tests. While the State Manager will try to meet such a request, he or she must adhere to the required time-line for finalising all testing within NAATI's testing program. Languages are tested when they come on stream and you will be given good notice when your test is scheduled. If you still can not meet the scheduling requirements, you may have to withdraw from that round of testing and sit the test as a special test on your return or wait untill the test is next scheduled in NAATI's testing program.

What if l cannot sit for a test to which I have been invited?
Can I withdraw without any penalty and will there be a refund?

Yes, there is a Withdrawal Notice contained in the invitation package. Return this notice to NAATI and you will retain your opportunity for next time.There may be a cancellation fee that reduces the full refund. The State Manager will implement NAATI's refund policy. See theManual for CandidatesSection 13: Refund Policy and test re-scheduling policy.

Why and when do I have to pay a late fee?

A late fee is charged to cover the added administration costs incurred in processing a late application. With regard to invitations to a NAATI test, two late fees could be incurred.

1. if the application is received after the closing date; and
2. if the acceptance form contained in the invitation package is returned after the specified time to the State Office.

What is the structure of a NAATI test?

Each NAATI test has a different structure or format. These are outlined in theManual for Candidates.

How does NAATI conduct its tests? What is involved and approximately how long does a test take?

Normally all NAATI tests are conducted in one of our state offices located in capital cities or regional centres. In more remote areas NAATI can arrange for its tests to be conducted with the supervisory assistance of staff from various tertiary institutions or other approved agents. More detail concerning each test format is contained in theManual for Candidates.

Are there differences in the way NAATI conducts its interpreting and translation tests?

All NAATI interpreting tests are conducted with the testing officer using tape recorders or CD Players. The master tape containing the test is stopped at certain times to allow the candidate to record a response. The candidate's responses are recorded on a second tape which is left running during the length of the tests. All interpreting tests are conducted individually. Then the candidate tape is sent to examiners for assessment.Translation tests are conducted in large venues at universities or other educational institutions or in smaller groups in NAATI regional offices as is the case with interpreting tests. Candidates are allowed a specific time to write their translations in an exam booklet which the testing officer will provide. A candidate must write the translation in the exam booklet from the source text contained in the test paper into the target language.

Are there special examination procedures or general instructions that apply when I sit for a NAATI test?

Yes, as with all examinations conducted by any institution, NAATI provides general instructions for all candidates sitting a NAATI test. These are available at the exam venue and in theManual for Candidates. They are also issued with your test invitation.

Is there special advice to candidates who sit a test in certain languages?

Yes, NAATI provides special instructions for certain languages, such as Arabic, AUSLAN, Chinese, Bosnian, Croatian, Modern Greek, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Romanian and Serbian and other languages are added from time to time. These instructions are contained in theManual for Candidates.

When and how will I be notified about my results?

NAATI normally allows twelve (12) weeks for tests to be marked, results returned and processed before candidates are notified. Special Test result processing is expedited such that the time taken is approximately six (6) weeks. NAATI must rely on the availability of panel examiners and current circumstances facing these examiners which may delay their marking of a candidate's test. In all cases NAATI will make every effort to expedite the return of results to candidates.

What if I disagree with the result as determined by the examiners? Is there an appeals process? How does it work?

Candidates are eligible to have their test remarked or request a report if they make the request within one (1) month of the date or result publication. Please see NAATI's policy on reviews for further information.

Am I allowed to have a look at my translation test? How does this happen?

Candidates are offered the opportunity to view their marked translation test but no later than 9 months after the date of sitting. All test papers are routinely destroyed after the testing program has concluded. Within this timeframe candidates should contact the State Manager regarding this opportunity to view their translation test PDF 16.4KB. There are certain conditions under which this viewing can take place. Candidates should note that test papers are marked and assessed but no corrections are provided on the paper.

How can I best prepare for a NAATI test? Are there courses available to prepare me to sit the tests? (Sample tests, workshops, TAFE preparatory courses)

NAATI provides assistance to candidates by way of sample tests, and preparatory workshops and online course. Details of this assistance are included in the invitation package sent to all candidates prior to a NAATI test. State Managers are best placed to advise candidates if relevant courses are being offered at tertiary institutions. Unfortunately tertiary courses being offered in Australia to satisfy candidate need are insufficient to meet the demand.

What is NAATI's testing schedule? How often are the tests held? When are the next tests? Can I sit a test at other times than the published test dates?

NAATI produces an Annual Testing Program incorporating a preliminary program of languages for the following two (2) years. This Three (3) Year Program is available in July of each year. Language service demand dictates that not every language, level and category are tested every year. Candidates should consult the current annual testing program to check out whether testing in their language is included.

What is a special test?

If your language is not included in one of NAATI's annual testing programs, you can request to sit a Special On-Demand Test. Essentially such a request satisfies an urgent need by a candidate. There is no difference in format or level of difficulty between a special test and one offered to candidates in NAATI's normal testing program. The only differences are that NAATI charges a higher fee and will expedite the processing of a special test to return a result more quickly.

Why are the ethics of the interpreting and translation profession so important? How does NAATI give effect to this in its testing of candidates?

As in any profession the conduct of professionals should be exemplary. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Clients who engage the services of a translator or interpreter expect those professionals to act ethically. Unfortunately there is no registration or licensing system in place in Australia to regulate the conduct of interpreters and translators. Under such a system a fraudulent or unethical professional would be penalised.To emphasise the importance of ethics in the profession, NAATI has introduced ethics questions into its tests. This ethics component carries a minimum requirement before a pass is awarded. By including this ethics component, NAATI can evaluate the candidate's understanding of the ethics of the profession and has an expectation the candidate will abide by them.

In addition, from 1 July 2006 NAATI accreditation is contingent on the applicant's adherence to the AUSIT Code of Ethics. Breaches in the code may result in the cancellation of NAATI accreditation.

Who are NAATI's examiners? Are they qualified and how are they chosen?

NAATI has about 300 examiners across all languages for which tests are available. NAATI requires that examiners undergo a rigorous scrutiny by its Board of Directors before an appointment to an examiner panel can be made. NAATI does not reveal the names of particular examiners responsible for the marking of a test. In appointing an examiner to one of its panels the Board of Directors will assess such factors as:-

Qualifications - An examiner should possess competence in the language concerned; be accredited as a translator and/or interpreter or otherwise have eminent status as an academic or practitioner in the relevant language or skill area; be of good character; have appropriate tertiary qualifications; have substantial experience as an accredited practitioner in interpreting and/or translation and have proven experience in setting and marking tests, if not through an interpreting and/or translation course then in another related academic capacity.

Other factors - Other factors to be taken into account would be length of residence in Australia; continuing contact with the other language and/or culture; pattern of language usage; access to resources; familiarity with interpreting and/or translation in Australia; satisfactory referees' reports and a willingness to make a commitment in terms of available time to NAATI. All NAATI examiner panels have a chairperson.

My English/LOTE is perfect - why did I fail the test?

Some possible explanations could include:-

1. Your level of competency in both languages is not equally high.
2. Interpreting and translation require additional skills to language proficiency. Also training in interpreting and translation are required. Very often candidates mistakenly believe that possessing the language by birth makes them an interpreter or translator.
3. You may not have made sufficient preparation for the test. NAATI provides advice on how to prepare for a test.

When I gain NAATI accreditation, how do I advertise this? Am I issued with a certificate?

If you are eligible for NAATI accreditation you may apply for a certificate on payment of the appropriate fee.

See:

• Application for NAATI Certificate ,
• Application for NAATI ID Card , and
• Application for NAATI Stamp

for more details.

You will also be eligible to enter your details to NAATI's Practioners' Directory.

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Testing is the main method by which the majority of candidates gain NAATI accreditation, but some achieve accreditation via approved courses in Australia.

How do I know if the course I have completed has NAATI approval?

You may find out whether a particular course has formal NAATI approval by checking the Translating and Interpreting Training Opportunities booklet. For further information about a particular course, please contact the college or university direct. If you complete a NAATI-approved course successfully and meet the required standard, you will be eligible for accreditation. If, however, you intend to complete a course that does not have NAATI approval, you will need to sit a NAATI test in order to obtain accreditation.

Do I receive accreditation automatically when I complete my course successfully?

You must complete NAATI Application for Accreditation through an approved Australian Courseand send it to NAATI Central Office (Canberra) with the appropriate fee and a document that will prove your eligibility for accreditation. The document may be a copy of your diploma or your academic record. NAATI determines your eligibility by checking your name against a list of recommendations, which educational institutions must submit to us on completion of each approved course. Accreditation cannot be awarded until this information has been verified.

Questions about T&I courses Overseas

Apart from gaining accreditation via testing and approved courses, accreditation can be obtained on the basis of overseas qualifications.

How do I know whether my qualifications from overseas will render me eligible for accreditation by NAATI without having to sit a NAATI test?

It is important to remember that to be eligible for NAATI accreditation on this basis your overseas qualification must be sufficiently specialised in translation or interpreting to meet NAATI standards in Australia. If the course you completed has a different focus, such as a major in teaching or in language and literature, it is likely that there is an insufficiently specialised translation component within the course. If this is the case, you would be advised to sit a NAATI test in order to achieve accreditation.

I have experience in conference interpreting/translating both in Australia and overseas. Am I eligible for accreditation by NAATI?

It is important to note that NAATI does not award accreditation on the basis of work experience alone. The only exception to this rule is at the most senior level of accreditation involving long experience in conference interpreting and translating which can be fully documented. If you are a full member of the international professional associations, Australian Association Internationale des Interpretes de Conference (AIIC) and Association Internationale des Traductuers de Conference (AITC), then it is likely you will be eligible for automatic accreditation at the highest level of accreditation.

How do I apply?

You need to lodge a NAATI

Application for Accreditation by Assessment of Overseas Qualification

Application for Review of Assessment

together with the appropriate fee and the necessary supporting documents.

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What is the role and function of The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT)?

The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) is the national professional association for translators and interpreters. It provides memberships, continuing professional development workshops, national conferences, and an annual journal. It has been responsible for advising members on remuneration rates, working conditions and professional liability insurance.

Does NAATI provide a translator/interpreter service?

NAATI does not provide translation and interpreting services. It does keep a national list of accredited interpreters and translators some of whom can be accessed through the NAATI Practitioners' Directory. NAATI can also verify whether a particular translator and/or interpreter is accredited and at what level. Employers and clients are encouraged to check with NAATI if in doubt.

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