What is TIS?

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is a federal government service that provides interpreters in more than 160 languages to support Australians who are not fluent in English. It is run by the Department of Home Affairs and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the phone number 131 450.

TIS interpreting is free for many essential services. Calls to government agencies including Medicare, Centrelink, the Australian Taxation Office, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the Australian Electoral Commission can be made through TIS at no cost to the caller. Many medical practitioners using bulk-billing arrangements can access TIS for free for patients with limited English. Most state and territory hospitals, police, and emergency services can also call on TIS interpreters at no cost to the patient or client.

Two main types of service operate. Immediate telephone interpreting connects a caller and the agency they need to speak to with an interpreter joining the call within a few minutes. Pre-booked interpreting (telephone, video, or on-site) is arranged in advance and is typically used for longer or more complex appointments such as tribunal hearings, medical specialist appointments, or complex Centrelink claims. On-site interpreting in person is available for around 100 languages in capital cities and some regional centres.

Interpreters who work for TIS National hold credentials from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), the federal certification body. NAATI has four credential levels, with Certified Interpreter and Certified Specialist Interpreter the higher levels appropriate for medical, legal, and complex settings. Interpreters work under a strict code of ethics requiring confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality, and professional conduct. Written translations of documents, including birth and marriage certificates, can be arranged through TIS or directly with NAATI-credentialled translators across Australia.