Media Release
14 July 2008
Boost for Centrelink interpreters and translators
The Minister for Human Services, Joe Ludwig, has announced an increase in the fees paid for on-site interpreting at Centrelink offices and for translation of documents required by Centrelink.
The increase will benefit interpreters and translators who provide Centrelink with on-call services in more than 200 languages.
"It's vital Centrelink customers from non-English speaking backgrounds continue to access quality interpreting and translation services," Senator Ludwig said.
"The modest fee increase is well overdue. A comprehensive review of the fee structure conducted earlier this year discovered these on-site fees have been unchanged for nearly ten years.
"In deciding to commit these funds, I have also put a process in place to increase interpreting and translation fees in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each financial year, commencing 1 July 2009.”
Senator Ludwig said the review was aimed at ensuring the continued viability of a quality interpreter and translator panel for Centrelink's business.
Centrelink operates an in-house interpreting and translation service to assist staff to communicate with non-English speaking customers and to provide translation of documents.
The minimum “standard” and “complex” translation fees will rise by around $2.50, while the minimum booking fee for on-site interpreting will increase by around $6.
These fees are paid by Centrelink to interpreters/translators selected from a panel of 2,500 around the country.
"More than a million of Centrelink's 6.5 million customers were born in a country that does not speak English,” Senator Ludwig said.
“This investment of more than $300,000 will position Centrelink well for the challenges ahead as refugees and migrants from Africa bring a level of language diversity not previously seen in Australia.”
"Centrelink has developed an extensive range of services for customers from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.”
“These services include a bilingual recruitment strategy, a multi-lingual call centre, dedicated Multicultural Services Officers and an extensive multicultural communication strategy, providing a large range of printed and on-line materials.”
"Access to free on-site interpreters and translators are crucial when assisting non-English speaking customers.”
"Centrelink has a long-standing and well deserved reputation for excellence in multicultural service delivery. Today's announcement will ensure these standards continue," Senator Ludwig said.
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