Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) provides the TIS National interpreting service for people who do not speak English and for the English speakers who need to communicate with them.
TIS National has more than 35 years of experience in the interpreting industry, and has access to over 1400 contracted interpreters across Australia, speaking more than 160 languages and dialects.
TIS National is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any person or organisation in Australia requiring interpreting services.
The Australian Government, through TIS National, provides free interpreting services to non-English speaking Australian citizens or permanent residents communicating with the following approved groups and individuals:
- private medical practitioners providing Medicare-rebateable services and their reception staff to arrange appointments and provide results of medical tests
- non-profit, non-government, community-based organisations for case work and emergency services where the organisation does not receive funding to provide these services
- Members of Parliament for constituency purposes local government authorities to communicate with non-English speaking residents on issues such as rates, garbage collection and urban services
- trade unions to respond to members' enquiries or requests
- Emergency Management Australia
- pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications.
Organisations can apply for a fee exemption for calls through TIS National. The Australian Government, through TIS National, provides free interpreting services to non-English speaking Australian citizens or permanent residents communicating with the above groups and individuals.
| Address |
Level 6, 2 Lonsdale Street Casselden Place Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Tel | 13 14 50 |
| Website | www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/help_with_translating/index.htm |