Contact us at

• Sydney Office

  Level 8
  175 Castlereagh St
  Sydney NSW 2000

  P.O. Box A2618
  Sydney South NSW 1235

  Tel: (02) 8255 6767
  FAX: (02) 8255 6868
  TTY: (02) 8255 6758
  

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• Interpreting & Translation
  

  Tel: 1300 651 500
  Fax: (02) 8255 6711
  TTY: (02) 8255 6758

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• Newcastle Office
  

  Ground Floor
  Government Office Block
  117 Bull Street
  Newcastle NSW 2300

  Tel: (02) 4929 4191
  Fax: (02) 4929 7369

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• Wollongong Office
  

  Ground Floor, Block D
  State Office Block
  84 Crown Street
  Wollongong NSW 2500

  PO Box 363
  Wollongong NSW 2520

  Tel: (02) 4224 9922
  FAX: (02) 4224 9933

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Fact Sheet 2

Requesting and Working with Interpreters: When to use an Interpreter

An agency will need to book an interpreter when a person exhibits hesitation or difficulty in understanding and communicating in English, or if he/she requests an interpreter.

It is NSW Government policy that each public authority must observe the Principles of Multiculturalism in conducting its affairs.

Language difficulties pose particular barriers in accessing legal, social and support services. If a professional interpreter is not used in preliminary investigations, complicated advice is likely to be misconstrued, creating a situation where the person is unlikely or unable to pursue an available option or service.

Language difficulties can also affect those who are normally proficient in the use of English, as highly stressful situations often make speaking in a second language problematic. This can affect the accuracy of the person’s statement.

In these situations a professional interpreter should always be used.