In the 2021 Census, more than 317,200 South Australians stated they spoke another language other than English, including 4,450 people who speak Australian Indigenous languages and about 1,400 people who communicate with non-verbal (sign) languages.
The South Australian Interpreting and Translating Policy for Migrant and Non-Verbal (Sign) Languages aims to ensure that speakers of languages other than English are not disadvantaged when accessing or receiving South Australian Government services and information.
This overarching policy requires all South Australian Government agencies, including statutory bodies, to have their own interpreting and translating policies that consider when and how they will:
- engage interpreters, bilingual staff and preferred models of interpreting
- procure interpreting and translating services and preferred providers
- utilise family and friends for interpreting assistance
- apply the policy to their funded organisations.
Multicultural Affairs is available to support South Australian Government agencies and statutory bodies in the development and implementation of their own policy.
Fact sheets
A series of fact sheets has been designed to assist government agencies, including statutory bodies, with the development and implementation of their policies.
Fact sheet 1 - Using interpreting services – a guide for service providers (PDF, 184.8 KB)
Fact sheet 2 - Using translating services for written materials (PDF, 177.6 KB)
Fact sheet 3 - Language list by country and place (PDF, 243.6 KB)
Fact sheet 4 - Deciding when to use an interpreting service (PDF, 203.5 KB)
Fact sheet 5 - Can family and friends provide interpreting services? (PDF, 175.3 KB)
Fact sheet 6 - The role of bilingual staff in your organisation (PDF, 191.2 KB)
Fact sheet 7 - Using interpreting services: conflict of interest (PDF, 176.8 KB)
Fact sheet 8 - Interpreting services: your rights and responsibilities (PDF, 191.1 KB)
For more information please contact Multicultural Affairs.