Recommendation 6.3 – Access to appropriately skilled and qualified interpreters

What has been achieved to date

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring people with disability have access to appropriately skilled and qualified interpreters as needed, through actions by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

NAATI is progressing training materials on disability awareness for interpreters and aims to have the training package finalised by the end of this financial year. NAATI is currently consulting with industry experts on drafted training content to ensure suitability and comprehensiveness.

The NDIA is developing a new ‘making communications accessible’ e-learning program which includes content of how to book interpreters and understanding different communication needs. Extensive sector and Agency feedback is being incorporated with expected completion during Quarter 2 2025-26. New Starter Training has also been updated to include learning opportunities around booking interpreters.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is undertaking a review of Commissioner-made NDIS Rules and NDIS Practice Standards, which have not undergone a comprehensive review since their introduction. This review will consider the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, to contribute to progressively higher standards of support, including standards on working effectively with interpreters.

What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report

The Australian Government, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) should take steps to ensure people with disability have access to appropriately skilled and qualified interpreters as needed.

Training for interpreters

NAATI should require interpreters to complete training in disability awareness before receiving accreditation and as part of their ongoing professional development to maintain accreditation.

Interpreters in disability service provision

The NDIA should:

• ensure staff are aware of the NDIA’s Practice Guide on Accessible Communication and the provisions of the Practice Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander planning support relating to interpreters and translation
• provide training for staff on how to arrange and work with an interpreter.

The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), in consultation with states and territories, should:

• amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 (Cth) to introduce a standard on effectively working with interpreters
• amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Quality Indicators for NDIS Practice Standards) Guidelines 2018 (Cth) to include indicators relevant to the standard on working effectively with interpreters, including that providers have relevant policies and procedures in place.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission should amend the NDIS Workforce Capability Framework to provide that the Communicate Effectively Core Capability for Advanced Support Work explicitly includes working with interpreters.

Australian Government Response July 2024

The Australian Government supports collaboration between relevant government departments and agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to support people with disability to have access to appropriately skilled and qualified interpreters.

The Australian Government will work closely with NAATI to ensure new and currently credentialed interpreters have access to the necessary disability awareness training required to work effectively and appropriately with people with disability.   

The NDIA is committed to making sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) delivers a consistent and high-quality experience for all participants, their families and carers. All participants, carers and guardians must be supported to communicate in their preferred method of communication whenever they interact with the NDIA including the use of NAATI accredited translators and interpreters. The NDIA provides guidance to NDIA staff and partners about how to arrange an interpreter, including allowing extra preparation time so the interpreter can meet with the planner before the participant arrives to understand the context of the meeting. The guidance notes participants should be given the option to request a specific interpreter, although the first principle is to use a NAATI accredited interpreter. 

The NDIA's Frontline Essentials Training delivered to new NDIA planning staff and partners in the community includes sessions on arranging an interpreter or translator. The NDIA’s IT business system (PACE) also provides guidance for NDIA staff on assisting participants with preferred methods of communication and on booking interpreters. The NDIA also has practice guides on accessible communication and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander planning support.

These guides and related training will be reviewed and updated to reflect any changes to how the NDIA works with participants as work continues to improve the NDIS.

More recommendations

View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.