WAITI is a professional association of interpreters and translators, not an agency providing language services. However, WAITI does inform members of potential job opportunities by e-Bulletin if appropriate.

WAITI also maintains a website listing of members offering their interpreting/translating services. The page is accessible free of charge.

WAITI is not an employer. WAITI is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with the professional interests of its member interpreters and translators.

Speaking English and another language is not sufficient for interpreting and translating; it is only a prerequisite for acquiring interpreting/translating skills and knowledge. You can use these language skills to achieve a qualification and/or certification through tertiary or higher education and/or testing by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).

Australia-wide, a small number of TAFE colleges, private registered training providers (RTOs) and universities offer interpreting and/or translating courses at Diploma/Advanced Diploma level (TAFE) or Degree/Post-Graduate level. (university).

For courses offered by TAFE or private RTOs search: www.myskills.gov.au/Courses/Search

For university courses you will need to consult a university’s website.

As a not-for-profit organisation, WAITI does not engage in commercial activities. Therefore we do not offer credit card facilities. Our preferred payment is by direct electronic transfer.

WAITI is not permitted – by law – to publish an official schedule. Generally translations are negotiated based on a word count (per 100 words or part thereof). The charge for large documents such as manuals, booklets, books, etc is agreed to by negotiation only.

Additionally you may incur a fee for (to name a few):

• non-Roman scripts
• hand-written docs
• short turn-around time
• involvement of a reviewer (necessary for certain documents)
• involvement of an editor
• complexity of the original (source) text
• reproduction of special lay-out, formatting, graphs
• required certification
• requirement of an affidavit or statutory declaration

Always ask for a detailed quote.

That depends on the task at hand and should be part of the quote. As a guide, expect 48 hours for short routine documents. Turn around time for any other translation is a matter of negotiation with the translator.

WAITI is not permitted – by law – to publish an official schedule. Charges vary according to the task, the required level of performance and expertise and duration of an assignment and are subject to negotiation, for instance:

• Interpreting the conversation between two speakers, each speaking a different language, that is constantly moving between two languages.
• Interpreting, into another language, of a speech, presentation or similar after a speaker has finished, typically in large gatherings such as forums, seminars, conference sessions; i.e. the interpreter interprets one-way only.
• Interpreting a speech, presentation or similar whilst a presenter is speaking, generally with the interpreter using electronic audio equipment in a sound proof booth; i.e. the interpreter interprets one-way only.

Additionally you may incur a fee for (to name a few):

• travel and accommodation
• preparation
• need for a second interpreter

Always ask for a detailed quote.

WAITI can help if you are a Member and have a genuine case related to your contractual relations with the provider. Please write to secretary@waiti.org.au.

WAITI can help if you are a Member and have an issue related to interpreting /translating that affects you personally. Please write to secretary@waiti.org.au.

WAITI can only deal with complaints about an interpreter or translator, if that practitioner is a member.

If the person concerned is not a member, the complainant can refer the matter to the National Accreditation Authority (NAATI) provided that the interpreter or translator holds a NAATI credential.