Dealing with a debt notice, court proceedings or financial difficulty is stressful in any language. For people who speak a language other than English, or who have a hearing or speech impairment, there are government-funded services designed to make legal and financial processes more accessible. If you need an interpreter for a court or tribunal hearing, it is important to advise the registry as early as possible — some languages require several days' notice, and arrangements must be made in advance.

TIS National — Translating and Interpreting Service

TIS National is the Australian Government's telephone and on-site interpreting service. It provides immediate phone interpreting 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 150 languages. TIS National is used by many courts, tribunals, government agencies and Legal Aid commissions — in many cases, the service provider pays the cost and the service is free for the person seeking help. If you have received a debt notice and need an interpreter to speak with a financial counsellor, legal aid service or tribunal, TIS National can provide real-time telephone interpreting.

tisnational.gov.au — TIS National: Book an interpreter or access immediate phone interpreting — call 131 450 (24 hours, 7 days). Available to individuals and businesses dealing with government agencies.
TIS National — Immediate phone interpreting: Call 131 450 at any time for an immediate phone interpreter in your language — you will be connected to an interpreter within minutes.

Court-arranged interpreters

Many courts and tribunals can arrange interpreters on request through the court registry. Interpreters in court proceedings are generally provided free of charge to parties who need them — the court or tribunal arranges and pays for the interpreter. You should advise the registry well in advance of your hearing date so the appropriate interpreter can be booked. Contact the specific court registry handling your matter to request an interpreter.

NAATI — National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

NAATI is the national body responsible for setting and maintaining standards for translating and interpreting in Australia. NAATI accredits translators and interpreters who meet professional competency standards. If a court-arranged interpreter is not available for your language, or if you need an interpreter for pre-hearing consultations with a lawyer or financial counsellor, you can search for a NAATI-accredited interpreter directly.

naati.com.au — NAATI: Search for accredited interpreters by language — use when a court-arranged interpreter is not available or for private consultations.

NABS — National Auslan Booking Service

NABS is a free Auslan interpreting service for deaf Australians. NABS provides interpreters for government appointments, including court and tribunal hearings, legal appointments, and dealings with government agencies. The service is available at no cost to the deaf person. If you are deaf and need an Auslan interpreter for a court, tribunal, or legal aid appointment, book through NABS as early as possible — demand is high and bookings must be made in advance.

nabs.org.au — National Auslan Booking Service: Free Auslan interpreting for deaf Australians attending government appointments — including court and tribunal hearings and legal aid consultations.

Court accessibility accommodations

All Australian courts and tribunals are required to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. Accommodations can include screens or remote witness arrangements for vulnerable witnesses, support people in the hearing room, accessible facilities, Easy Read versions of key forms and guides, and adjustments to hearing procedure. Contact the court registry before the hearing date to discuss the accommodations you need.

NCAT (NSW) — Accessibility: NCAT's accessibility services including interpreter arrangements and adjustments for hearings in NSW.
VCAT (Victoria) — Accessibility: VCAT's accessibility services including interpreter services, hearing loop and other accommodations in Victoria.

NDIS and communication supports

NDIS funding can cover communication supports for everyday matters, though court-funded interpreter arrangements are generally separate from NDIS-funded supports. If you have an NDIS plan and use communication supports — for example, a speech pathology device or communication assistant — advise the court registry in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made for your hearing. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission handles complaints about NDIS providers, which may be relevant if a dispute relates to an NDIS provider's invoicing.

ndiscommission.gov.au — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Handles complaints about NDIS providers — relevant where a dispute involves an NDIS service provider's billing or conduct.

Related Merion resources

Free Legal Help — Legal Aid commissions and community legal centres that can arrange interpreter assistance.
Financial Hardship Help — free financial counselling services, including services accessible through TIS National interpreters.

Interpreters & Accessibility