Interpreting services for general practice

TIS National free interpreting services

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people with limited English language proficiency and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. 

Private medical practitioners can use the free interpreting service to access interpreting services delivered by TIS National, including:

• immediate phone interpreting
• Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS)
• pre-booked phone interpreting
• on-site interpreting
• video remote interpreting.

TIS National immediate phone interpreting

Phone: 131 450
Hours: 7 days, 24 hours

TIS National Medical Practitioner and Pharmacy Priority Line

Phone: 1300 131 450
Hours: 7 days, 24 hours

Under the free interpreting service, private medical practitioners are defined as general practitioners, nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives, and approved medical specialists.

Private medical practitioners are eligible to access the Free Interpreting Service when delivering services that are:

• Medicare-rebatable
• delivered in private practice
• provided to anyone in Australia who is eligible for Medicare

Practice support staff working with a private medical practitioner registered with TIS National can also access the service using the same client code.

The free interpreting service can be used for delivering health services, including but not limited to:

• arranging appointment times
• undertaking health consultations
• developing health plans
• providing medical test results.

Digital awareness kit for clinical practices working with interpreters. 

Australia's national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters (NAATI), is excited to share a brand-new resource developed in collaboration with the RACGP. While developed with general practice in mind, the resource provides practical guidance that can support healthcare practitioners and staff across a range of healthcare settings to work effectively with professional interpreters and understand the role of NAATI certification in supporting safe, quality communication with patients. 

To support better communication with people who need language support, NAATI has developed a free digital awareness kit with practical resources for healthcare settings. 
 
It includes: 

• New guidance from NAATI and RACGP on working with interpreters. This booklet covers why interpreting is a healthcare priority, tips on engaging and working with interpreters, and the risks of relying on friends or family to interpret.
• A patient poster letting people know they can request an interpreter. The poster is available in 19 languages, including English.
• A 60-second video highlighting the important role of professional interpreters in supporting communication. 

Download the digital awareness kit for clinical practices.

 Please visit the TIS National website for interpreting service information relevant to pharmacy and allied health professionals.