Choosing the right professional for the job: An overview of NAATI credentials
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When you need to translate documents or communicate with someone who speaks a different language, it is important to find the right professional to help you. Translators work with written texts, while interpreters work with spoken or signed communication.
NAATI’s Certification System includes three translator credentials and six interpreter credentials. This guide will help you understand what each credential is for.
NAATI does not offer testing in every language or every level. If testing is not available in your language, translators and interpreters can still obtain a Recognised Practising credential which shows they have the training and language skills needed.
Keep in mind that even translators and interpreters with the same credential may have different areas of expertise. Use the NAATI online directory to search for credentialed practitioners and learn more about their specific experience and qualifications.
For more information about the NAATI Certification System, visit the NAATI website
Prerequisite requirements
To become certified by NAATI, all translators and interpreters must meet several prerequisite requirements. Each credential has its own set of prerequisites (for example, a different level of training required), but all of them include:
- Formal training in translation or interpreting
- English or Auslan language proficiency
- Ethical competency: Knowledge and understanding of the relevant Code of Ethics all certified translators and interpreters are bound by
- Intercultural competency: Knowledge and skill required to work cross-culturally in the Australian context.
Translator credentials
There are three translator credentials that show different levels of skill and experience.
Practitioners who hold a translator credential can translate complex and non-complex documents from one language to another. They can also review and edit an existing translation to make sure it is accurate. Translators may work in only one or in two directions: for example, from Polish into English and/or from English into Polish.
Recognised Practising Translators haven’t had their skills tested by NAATI but have completed minimum training and prerequisite requirements and have recent, regular translation experience. Usually they work in languages where there is no NAATI testing available.
If there are no translators holding a certification for a language, Recognised Practising Translators may be asked to complete the same work as someone who holds a certification.
Certified Translators have completed minimum training and prerequisite requirements, and have had their skills tested by NAATI. This is the highest translator credential available under the Certification System.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Translation of complex but non-specialised texts
- Revision of a complex but non-specialised translation
Certified Advanced Translators earned a higher credential under the former NAATI accreditation system (before 2018). Testing is no longer available, but some translators still hold this credential.
Interpreter credentials
There are six interpreter credentials across two main settings: community interpreting and conference interpreting.
Recognised Practising Interpreters haven’t had their skills tested by NAATI but have completed minimum training and prerequisite requirements and have recent, regular interpreting experience. Usually they work in languages where there is no NAATI testing available.
If there are no interpreters holding a certification for a language, Recognised Practising Interpreters may be asked to complete the same work as someone who holds a certification.
Certified Provisional Interpreters have had their interpreting skills tested for general, non-complex conversations, generally between two people. The word ‘provisional’ is used as NAATI has not assessed the broader range of interpreting skills tested at Certified Interpreter level.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Interpreting face-to-face (or video) and remote (telephone) conversations between an English and other language speaker, facilitated by live role-players.
Certified Interpreters can do complex interpreting in most situations. They have passed the Certified Provisional Interpreter test as well as the Certified Interpreter test with NAATI.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Interpreting conversations between two people
- Sight translation of documents from one language (written) to another (verbal).
- Interpreting monologues (consecutive and simultaneous interpreting)
Certified Specialist Health Interpreters are experienced and accomplished interpreters who are experts at interpreting in health settings. They have passed a medical knowledge test about general medical knowledge and the role of interpreters in healthcare, including a question relating to speech pathology. They have also passed an interpreting test that assesses their ability to interpret expert-to-expert communications (such as when a doctor speaks to another health professional about a patient) and interpret in mental health settings. They worked as Certified Interpreters and received specialist training before advancing to this level.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Health knowledge test
- Consecutive interpreting of a monologue
- Simultaneous interpreting of a monologue in a mental health context
- Interpreting a monolingual exchange (simultaneous interpreting of multiple English speakers in a complex setting)
Certified Specialist Legal Interpreters are experienced and accomplished interpreters who are experts at interpreting in legal settings. They have passed a legal knowledge test about general legal knowledge and the role of interpreters in legal settings. They have also passed an interpreting test that assesses their ability to interpret expert-to-expert communications (such as exchanges between a judge and lawyers) and courtroom cross-examinations. They have worked as Certified Interpreters and received specialist training before advancing to this level.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Legal knowledge test
- Dialogic extracts task (consecutive interpreting of a simulated cross-examination scenario)
- Consecutive interpreting of monologues
- Interpreting a monolingual exchange (simultaneous interpreting of multiple English speakers in a complex setting)
Certified Conference Interpreters can interpret highly complex and specialised messages in high-level international and domestic conference settings, such as treaty negotiations and academic conferences. These interpreters usually have specialised training in conference interpreting and extensive experience. Their credential covers one language direction (for example, Japanese to English or English to Auslan), though some interpreters hold multiple language combinations.
Tasks assessed by NAATI- Interpreting a monologue (consecutive interpreting) of an unseen speech
- Booth interpreting monologues (simultaneous interpreting) of seen and unseen speeches
