Logo

 

 Accreditation
>Home >Accreditation and Testing >Accreditation
Home Online Directory Accreditation and Testing

Testing Recognition Revalidation Fees and Charges Application forms Approved Australian Courses Overseas Qualifications Examiner's Information NAATI & Migration

Publications and Products Training and Workshops About NAATI

Accreditation Standards for Translators and Interpreters in Australia

Standards Meaning Related Tasks
Language Aide

For Government Employees only, to determine eligibility for language allowances

 This is an elementary level of language use; it is NOT a translator and/or interpreter category. It is appropriate for persons who are required to use a minimal knowledge of a language for the purpose of simple communications. It is the required level for the first range of the Community Language Allowance.
  • counter work: answering general inquiries, usually in the language other than English
  • assisting clients to complete a simple form in English
  • assisting speakers of languages other than English by giving instructions or directions in the language other than English (LOTE)
Paraprofessional Translator
available in a very limited range of languages 		This represents a level of competence in translation for the purpose of producing a translated version of non-specialised information. 
  • translation of texts which do not contain technical or specialised information or terminology
  • very simple translation work, where some level of inaccuracy is acceptable
Paraprofessional Interpreter This represents a level of competence in interpreting for the purpose of general conversations, generally in the form of non-specialist dialogues.
  • interpreting in general conversations
  • interpreting in situations where specialised terminology or more sophisticated conceptual information is not required
  • interpreting in situations where a depth of linguistic ability is not required
Professional Translator Translators work across a wide range of subjects and require a sound conceptual understanding of the material being translated. They are qualified to translate into one language only or into both languages, depending upon their accreditation.
  • correspondence, reports, standard text material in the general field of scholarship
  • translation of non-specialised scientific, technical, legal, tourist and commercial subjects
  • translation work requiring a reasonable level of accuracy
Professional Interpreter This represents the minimum level of competence for professional interpreting. It may be regarded as the Australian professional standard. Interpreters are capable of interpreting across a wide range of subjects involving dialogues at specialist consultations. They are also capable of interpreting presentations by the consecutive mode.
  • interpreting in both language directions for a wide range of subject areas usually involving specialist consultations with other professionals, e.g. doctor/patient, solicitor/client, bank manager/client, court interpreting
  • interpreting in situations where a depth of linguistic ability in both languages is necessary
Advanced Translator Advanced Translators handle complex, technical and sophisticated material, compatible with recognised international standards. They may choose to specialise in certain areas, usually into one language only, that being their first language.
  • translations of specialist material for specialists e.g. International conference papers, scientific papers in journals, legal documents, diplomatic agreements, etc
  • acting as revisors of work done by other translators
Conference Interpreter This represents the advanced professional level and a level of competence sufficient to handle complex, technical and sophisticated translation and interpreting.
Conference Interpreters practise both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in diverse situations including at conferences, high-level negotiations, and court proceedings. Conference interpreters operate at levels compatible with recognised international standards.
  • tasks involving international conferences, diplomatic missions, trade negotiations, and other high level negotiations
  • tasks involving complex court proceedings
  • interpreting in situations where a depth of linguistic ability in both the language directions is required
Advanced Translator (Senior) This is the highest level of NAATI accreditation and reflects both competence and experience. It represents an international standard together with demonstrated extensive experience and leadership.
  • translation tasks as for Advanced Translators
  • tasks involving the management of translation of papers for international conferences
  • providing advice for translation services within and outside Australia
Conference Interpreter (Senior)  This is the highest level of NAATI accreditation and reflects both competence and experience. It represents an international standard together with demonstrated extensive experience and leadership.
  • interpreting tasks as for Conference Interpreters
  • tasks involving the organisation of international conferences
  • providing advice for interpreting services within and outside Australia

Recognition

Languages Available for the Annual Testing Program

Albanian

Amharic

Arabic

Assyrian

Auslan

Bangla

Bosnian

Bulgarian

Burmese

Cantonese*

Chinese#

Croatian

Czech

Dari

Dutch

Eastern Arrernte

Filipino

Finnish

French

German

Greek

Hakka

Hindi

Hungarian

Indonesian

Italian

Japanese

Khmer

Korean

Kurdish (Kurmanji)

Kurdish (Sorani)

Lao

Macedonian

Malay

Maltese

Mandarin*

Persian

Pertame

Pitjantjatjara

Polish

Portuguese

Punjabi

Pushto

Romanian

Russian

Samoan

Serbian

Sinhalese

Slovak

Somali

Spanish

Tamil

Tetum

Thai

Tigrinya

Tongan

Turkish

Ukrainian

Urdu

Vietnamese

*Interpreter only
# Translation only
Footer