Interpreting and translating – Accessing interpreting and translating services

Schools with students and families from language backgrounds other than English need to ensure that information relating to school programs and student progress is made available to parents in their first language.

To facilitate this, the Department provides schools with access to qualified/accredited interpreters, in line with Victorian government policy to help Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities deal with government departments and agencies. All schools have been provided with the guidelines and booking forms.

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Guidelines for interpreting and translating

Interpreting and translating services are available free to government schools, if they fall within the established guidelines. This service is not available to assist individual students in classrooms, or support curriculum related activities.

See Guidelines for using interpreting and translating services (Word - 145Kb).

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Onsite and telephone interpreters

The Department has a contract with All Graduates Interpreting and Translating Services to provide these services using qualified and accredited interpreters and translators for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 school years. This service is available free to government schools within established guidelines.

Booking online is the preferred option. Bookings should be made as early as possible. To book an interpreter go to All Graduates (http://www.allgraduates.com.au)

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Interpreterline

All Graduates also provides an automated telephone interpreting service known as Interpreterline. Interpreterline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is available in 20 of the most in demand languages including:

Additional languages will be included as determined by demand. All other languages are available during business hours only.

To use Interpreterline, schools must use their account number and PIN, which is issued by All Graduates.

Interpreterline contact information:
Tel: 1300 739 731

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Translating school specific notices

Schools may request translation of other documents that fall into specific categories and are within maximum word limits. This service is available free to government schools within established guidelines. Translation booking request form (Word - 52Kb).

 

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Service contract

Interpreting and translating services are provided to schools by a private provider on behalf of the Department through a tender process. All Graduates Interpreting and Translating Services currently holds the contract until the end of 2007.

Further information about All Graduates is available at:

All Graduates
(http://www.allgraduates.com.au)
Tel: (03) 9605 3000
Fax: (03) 9600 0048
Email: admin@allgraduates.com.au

 

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Assignments that fall outside the guidelines

Schools may choose to translate other documents or arrange interpreters for assignments that fall outside the guidelines. In such cases requests should be made directly to All Graduates Interpreting and Translating Service, or another accredited interpreting and translating agency, who will bill the school directly.

 

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International students

Please note that interpreting and translating services for full fee-paying overseas students for whom the school is collecting a fee are not provided for under these guidelines. Schools should deal directly with an interpreting and translating agency for assignments concerning these students.

 

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Victorian Government Policy and Procedures

Improving the Use of Translating and Interpreting Services – A Guide to Victorian Government Policy and Procedures is published by the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs (VOMA).

This guide sets out the Government's position: people who cannot speak English need to be able to access professional interpreting and translating services where significant life decisions are concerned, and where essential information is being communicated.

The Guide provides direction to Departments and agencies on the use of interpreters and translators, and offers practical advice on obtaining high quality language services.

Improving the Use of Translating and Interpreting Services: A Guide to Victorian Government Policy and Procedures has been divided into sections for ease of downloading.

 

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Further information

For further information regarding accessing interpreting and translating services contact:

Mary Oztasci
Tel: (03) 9637 2026
Fax: (03) 9637 2040
Email: oztasci.mary.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

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