At present most translators and interpreters work on a part time, casual or on-call basis, since limited opportunities exist for full time or permanent employment. When shortages develop in particular languages and dialects, further opportunites arise. diffculties are sometimes experienced in obtaining suitably skilled people in some Asian and African languages. The languages in demand can change from time to time, particularly in relation to recent migrant arrivals. Current developments in language service provision in Australia indicate that fewer but more highly qualified translators and interpreters will be required to meet the changing market demand.

Translators and interpreters are employed by a wide variety of organisations, including Commonwealth Departments (e.g. Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Health, Centrelink, State Multicultural Affairs Commissions), banks, hospitals and health services, legal and law enforcement agencies, voluntary organisations, schools, private-sector translation and interpreting agencies, tourist organisations and conference organisers. In addition, some highly qualified interpreters work at international conferences.

An ideal way to let the community know of your translation and/or interpreting skills is to have your name included in NAATI's Practioners' Directory of Accredited and Recognised Translators and Interpreters Your name, contact details, accreditation details, and preferred work areas will be published on the CD Rom format (optional) and on the NAATI online version. Anyone seeking your particular translation and/or interpreting skills is then able to contact you directly, to organise what ios required. NAATI regards accreditation at the Translator and Interpreter level as the appropriate minimum professional requirement for appoitment to tarnslator and/or interpreter positions, a view shared by many government authorities.