The Andrews Labor Government will undertake an independent review of its interpreters and translators to ensure Victorians have the support they need when accessing government services.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott announced the review this week, which will span all Victorian Government departments, agencies and relevant bodies.
“We’re proud to live in an incredibly rich, multicultural Victoria – and we want to ensure our linguistically diverse communities have the support they need,” said Mr Scott.
“We’re seeing increased migration alongside an ageing, established migrant population, so having the right language services in place to meet the community’s needs is critical.
“The Andrews Labor Government is working with industry and community partners to provide professionally accredited interpreters and translators for all Victorians,” he concluded.
The review will make recommendations for securing the right volume and quality of professionally accredited interpreters and translators to help Victorians access government services through bodies such as VicRoads, Victoria Police, or Births Deaths and Marriages.
It will examine the procurement of interpreting services, the current state of the interpreting sector, including demand for and quality of interpreters and whether new technology can be used to improve the efficiency of language services.
The Andrews Government has also committed to revisit professional development, training, workplace relationships and other conditions to ensure a sustainable, high quality workforce.
The review will be conducted in close collaboration with industry and community bodies to ensure its findings and recommendations properly reflect the needs of culturally diverse communities across the state.
In working towards the review, the Government has consulted Professionals Australia, the Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service (VITS), ONCALL Interpreters and Translators Australia, and All Graduates Interpreting and Translating.
The scope of works for the review will soon be released, with the first report to the Minister expected by early December 2016.