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NAATI doesn’t offer interpreting or translation services; however, the NAATI online directory contains the contact details of certified interpreters and translators who have opted to have their details listed. Interpreters and translators are listed by languages.
Nationally, several key organisations provide interpreting services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Northern Territory:
Western Australia:
South Australia:
- Aboriginal Language Interpreting Service, South Australia (ALIS)
- Aboriginal Tri State Interpreting Service (ATSIT)
- ABC Multilingua
- Iwiri
Queensland:
In some areas, independent NAATI-certified interpreters offer their services operating under ABNs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language centres also often provide translation services.
Many translators and interpreters work remotely, which means they can help you by telephone or video call. You can search for a translator or interpreter in any location.
For some appointments, you might want the interpreter to be with you in person. Whether you need someone face-to-face depends on your situation, the type of service, and lead time. You can filter practitioners in the NAATI online directory by location to find those near you.
NAATI, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, is the organisation responsible for setting and maintaining national standards for translators and interpreters in Australia.
NAATI certifies practitioners so that governments, businesses, and the community can trust that language services are accurate, professional, and ethical.
What NAATI does:
NAATI tests and certifies translators and interpreters. It sets national standards for translating and interpreting, maintains a public online directory of certified practitioners, and supports quality and professionalism in the language services sector.
What NAATI does not do:
NAATI does not provide translation or interpreting services, employ translators or interpreters, assign jobs or take bookings, or set prices or fees for services.
If you need a document translated or want to book an interpreter, you will need to contact a NAATI-certified practitioner or language service provider directly.
All interpreters are bilingual, but not all bilingual people can be interpreters.
- An interpreter is a bilingual trained professional with bicultural skills who is bound by a code of ethics. The community standard for working as an interpreter in Australia is to be certified by NAATI.
- A bilingual person can speak two languages but hasn’t received training as an interpreter and is not bound by a code of ethics.
Read more in our article on: Bilingual person versus interpreter: What’s the difference?
NAATI’s Certification System includes three translator credentials and six interpreter credentials for spoken languages. Read our guide to help you understand what each credential is for: Choosing the right professional for the job: An overview of NAATI credentials
If you need to communicate with a Deaf or hard-of-hearing person, you may need to engage a NAATI-certified Auslan or Deaf interpreter or a written English into Auslan translator. Read our guide here on NAATI’s credentials for Auslan and other signed languages.
Translators and interpreters certified by NAATI are bound by a code of ethics and code of conduct. This means that you can trust any NAATI-certified translator or interpreter, similar to the trust you place in a doctor or accountant.
Read more in our article: Code of ethics explainer
