Employment Opportunities:

Interpreters are usually employed by State Deaf Societies or private Deaf Organisation Agencies. An interpreter can expect to work in federal, state or territory government departments concerned with employment, legal issues and law enforcement, social security and education to name a few. Organisations such as hospitals, banks, tourist agencies and private interpreting and translating firms may also employ interpreters.

The job market for interpreters is fairly stable, with an adequate supply in some languages. Occasional shortages develop when problems arise in obtaining suitably skilled people in minority community languages. Auslan is one such language where there is currently a shortage of qualified interpreters, particularly at the NAATI Interpreter Level. The demand for Auslan interpreters far outweighs the supply. The demand for interpreters also depends upon levels of government funding for interpreter services and the general level of business activity.

Many interpreting positions, such as court interpreting or work for the state, territory and federal Translating and Interpreting Services, are part time or casual. A certain amount of interpreting work is conducted on a freelance contract basis. Persons with NAATI accreditation may freelance and some highly qualified interpreters work at international conferences, and government and/or business meetings. An interpreter may expect to hold an ABN to work for many agencies or organisations on a freelance basis.

For Further Information on accreditation:

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (National Office)
PO Box 4040 Hawker ACT 2614
Ph: (02) 6255 1888
Fax: (02) 6255 1889
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Internet Address: http://www.naati.com.au/

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NSW)
PO Box A161 Sydney South NSW 1235
Ph: (02) 9267 1357
Fax: (02) 9267 4720
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Internet Address: http://www.naati.com.au/

Interpreter and Translator Association:

Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc (National Office - ACT/NSW/QLD)
GPO Box 1721 Sydney NSW 2001
Ph: 1800 284 181 (FREECALL)
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Internet Address: www.ausit.org

Auslan Interpreter Employers

National:

National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service

Sign Language Services Australia

Translating and Interpreting Service National  (TIS)

On Call Interpreters & Translators

Auslan For Employment programme

Deafness Forum of Australia

State:

State Deaf Societies

Deaf Society of New South Wales

Deaf Services Qld

Royal South Australian Deaf Society (SA Deaf)

Tasmanian Deaf Society

Victorian Deaf Society (Vicdeaf)

The West Australian Deaf Society

Associations:

Deafness Association of the Northern Territory

Other Interpreter Employers:

NSW

NSW Health Care Interpreter Service

Community Relations Commission - Language Link 

VIC

Deaf Children Australia

Echo Interpreting

Auslan Services

Check within your state for opportunities at TAFE, Universities and other educational facilities.