Delivery mode
Online
Test fee
$242
Prerequisites
Yes
Languages
n/a
Overview
Intercultural Competency is the knowledge and skill required by interpreters and translators that allows them to identify culturally specific information in the source language, appropriately reflect these in the target language and deal with clients in a culturally appropriate manner.
Intercultural competency is a prerequisite to gaining a NAATI credential. NAATI delivers Intercultural Competency (and Ethical Competency) tests to allow candidates to demonstrate this knowledge and skills, or you may have already met this prerequisite through the training you have completed.
You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need
to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Do I need to sit an Intercultural Competency test?
Completed an Endorsed Qualification or relevant Skill Set Course within the last three years? You have already satisfied this prerequisite.
Completed other relevant training at a Higher Education (HE) or Vocational Education and Training (VET) institution within the last three years? NAATI may exempt you from having to sit this test. You will need to attach evidence of completing this training with your application for NAATI to make an assessment.
If you need to sit an Intercultural Competency test, NAATI will make you eligible to sit the test at the same time as you can select a certification test date. You will need to pass the Intercultural Competency test before you can receive your credential from NAATI.
Information for applicants
Before sitting the Intercultural Competency test with NAATI, you need to meet the equipment & system requirements.
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
Equipment & system requirements
| Laptop or computer with the following: |
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| Internet connection: |
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About the test
The Intercultural Competency test is conducted online.
The test will consist of 9 questions, from which you will choose 6 to answer:
- Three knowledge-based short answer questions; and
- Three scenario-based short answer questions
All questions are in English.
Test assessment & results
Assessment
NAATI examiners will assess your response to each question separately, using an assessment rubric with 4 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 4 the lowest). You can view the assessment rubric here.
Each question is assessed against specific criteria:
Knowledge questions
- Criterion A: demonstrating knowledge about topic.
Scenario questions
- Criterion A: identifying the intercultural issue/s present in the scenario, and
- Criterion B: demonstrating an understanding of these issues and their implications for interpreters and/or translators.
To pass each question you must:
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A in the knowledge questions, and
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A and Band 3 for criterion B in the scenario questions.
To pass the test you must:
- Pass at least two of three knowledge questions; and
- Pass at least two of three scenario questions.
Results
At the end of each test session, all tests submitted will be sent to examiners for marking.
You should receive your results within 8 weeks of the test date.
Re-sitting the test
- Paid reviews of test results and supplementary tests are not available for Intercultural Competency tests.
- You will be offered a supplementary test if you fail just one section of the test. You will be offered a resit of the whole test if you fail two sections of the test. You will need to pay the test fee again for each additional test.
- You may have a maximum of two test re-sits. After the third failed attempt, your credential application will be deemed unsuccessful.
How to apply
You do not need to apply separately to sit an Intercultural Competency test. You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Test fee summary
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Intercultural Competency test fee $242 AUD
-
Cancellation See below
Rescheduling or cancelling your test
Rescheduling your test date
Rescheduling is allowed up to 8 days before the test. You cannot reschedule a test within 8 days of the test.
For example, your test is scheduled for 9am on 10 July 2026. You can reschedule up until 8:59am on 2 July 2026.
There is no cost to reschedule.
Candidates are responsible for rescheduling their own test via their myNAATI account. You will need to reject your test session in myNAATI and then select another test date.
Cancelling your test
You are eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel your test at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled start time.
Follow these instructions on how to apply for a refund through myNAATI: How to request a refund
Your 75% refund will be processed within 14 days in most cases.
You will not receive a refund for non-attendance or cancellations after the scheduled start time.
Candidate instructions
All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. Note that you will need to make sure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites‘ tab).
The candidate information details the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.
Preparation module
NAATI has developed a test preparation module to help you get ready for your test and familiarise yourself with the format. The module is available through NAATI Learn and anyone can access it for free.
You will need to create an account and select the Intercultural Competency Preparation Module from the dashboard when you are logged in.
You should allow a total of around 15 hours to study this module for professional development, and around 20 hours as test preparation.
These materials are © National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd 2023 and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of NAATI.
Support
If you need help before you have booked into a test, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.