How well do you really understand the NAATI exams?

International students in Australia envision a bright future that is free from anxieties and worries about job opportunities, immigration, being underpaid, student visa expiry and more. These concerns can be resolved and addressed by enrolling in and completing NAATI-endorsed translating and interpreting courses.

The NAATI-endorsed translating and interpreting courses are qualifications accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and include diploma, bachelor, graduate certificate, or master’s degrees, including translation and interpretation. Those who have completed the courses are able to sit for NAATI exams. The translation courses require students to translate general or special purpose texts from one language to another and to convey information written in functionally equivalent translated texts that are accurate and appropriate to the context, target audience and end use. On the other hand, the interpreting courses involve interpreting from a source language to a target language. In general dialogue and monologue settings, interpreters can control the discourse to assist retention and recall. Students can also choose to take the Credentialed Community Language course. By obtaining a passing grade on the CCL test, students are able to earn 5 points on the skilled migration scheme but will not be able to work as certified interpreters or translators. Alternatively, students can choose to take the e-learning course which is an 8 weeklong course including live-streamed tutorials and one-on-one mock exams.

The SIIT NAATI translating, and interpreting courses cover 8 languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Nepali, Hindi, Punjabi and Arabic. The importance of learning to translate and interpret in a multicultural country like Australia cannot be overstated. It grants credentialed interpreters and translators professional competence, immigration advantages and heightened employability in Australia. The courses specifically improve students’ translating and interpreting skills whilst enhancing their communication abilities in various fields like law, healthcare, business and more. Translating and interpreting skills are different from linguistic abilities as they require a specific specialised skillset to ensure accuracy and professionalism in various contexts. Apart from the above benefits, studying interpreting and translating courses also provides immigration advantages as students are able to obtain 5 points for the skilled migration scheme if they pass the exams and complete a skills assessment!

Finally, the courses are highly beneficial to students’ employability in Australia due to the shortage of translators and interpreters in such a multicultural country, meaning there are many opportunities that are open to those with credentials. Outstanding translators and interpreters have the opportunity to earn a significant income, with 2023 statistics provided by the Australian Government revealing that the annual income of advanced interpreters/translators reaches AU$125,000, with hourly rates ranging from AU$60 to AU$100. Other advantages associated with learning NAATI-accredited translating and interpreting courses include a valid student visa for 2-3 years or inbound transfers and renewals.

If you choose to study these courses, it should be noted that planning, time management and a sense of pace are crucial. Each interpreting course spans 25 weeks and each translating course lasts 52 weeks. The final assessments are subsequently marked within 28 working days and results are released 2 months after the exams take place. Additional examination places are limited so candidates may not be able to enrol for the exam if at short notice.

Ultimately, immigration is constantly evolving and changing but translating and interpreting accreditations are always valuable no matter where you go and what you do. In an ever-evolving multi-cultural global context, it is extremely beneficial to study interpreting and translating as soon as possible as opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared to seize the moment as it comes.