School Management

 

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.

Back to Top

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 - 150Kb).

Back to Top

Onsite 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 2009, 2010 and 2011 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)

Back to Top

Telephone Interpreters via Interpreterline

All Graduates also provides a telephone interpreting service known as Interpreterline. Interpreterline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Telephone interpreting services can be used effectively for:

  • emergencies such as accidents, illness and discipline issues
  • contacting parents who have difficulty coming to the school during normal hours
  • accessing languages where there are limited numbers of accredited interpreters
  • confirming appointments

Interpreterline contact information:
Tel: 1300 739 731
http://www.interpreterline.com.au

Back to Top

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 - 59Kb).

Back to Top

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 2011.

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

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

Further information

For further information regarding accessing interpreting and translating services contact:

Carmel Sandiford
Tel: (03) 9637 3800
Fax: (03) 9637 2040
Email: sandiford.carmel.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

Back to Top