About us

If you are a patient or carer at Austin Health, you have the right to ask for a confidential, certified interpreter at any time. This includes during your appointment.

Our interpreters are certified by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).

Why we use certified interpreters

Medical conversations can sometimes be complex and emotional. To make sure everything is clear and nothing important is missed, we encourage you to use a professional interpreter instead of family, friends, or staff. Certified interpreters are trained to provide accurate and confidential communication, while your loved ones can focus on giving you the support you need.

Our services

We provide the following services:

• In person interpreters
• Telehealth (video) interpreters
• Telephone interpreters (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

We always try to provide an in-person interpreter. However, if one is not available, we will arrange a telephone or video (telehealth) interpreter so you can still receive clear communication.

How to request an interpreter

If you’re staying in hospital

If you are staying in hospital, you can ask an Austin Health staff member to arrange an interpreter for you or your family.

If you have an appointment

If your appointment is managed by Specialist Clinics, you can request interpreter services by contacting Specialist Clinics.

If your appointment was booked directly with the clinic, you can ask for an interpreter by contacting the specific clinic.

If you have a booking for a planned procedure

If you have a booking for a planned procedure, let your liaison nurse know that you would like to arrange an interpreter.

Languages

On site interpreters at Austin Health

Austin Health has interpreters available on site for languages that are most commonly needed, including:

• Arabic
• Assyrian
• Bosnian
• Cantonese
• Chaldean
• Croatian
• Greek
• Italian
• Macedonian
• Mandarin
• Persian
• Serbian
• Turkish
• Vietnamese

Other languages including Auslan

For all other languages, including Australian sign language (Auslan) we will arrange an interpreter through an external accredited interpreting agency.

Auslan support for Deaf and hard of hearing Victorians video

Read the video transcript for Support deaf and hard of hearing Victorians (Better Health Channel).

Related content and services

• Disability liaison

  We support people with disability to use hospital services and access the care and treatment they need.

• Specialist Clinics

  Find our clinic locations. Make, change or cancel an appointment.

• Patients without a Medicare card

  Patients without a Medicare card (or Medicare Ineligible Patients) need to pay for hospital services.

• Telehealth

  Telehealth video calls connect you with us so you don't need to come to hospital for your appointment.

Contact us

Language Services

Email: languageservices@austin.org.au

Open hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm