FAQ

NICSS is the National Interpreting & Communication Services. NICSS is an activity of Wesley Mission Brisbane.

NICSS provides interpreting services to a wide range of professional and government service providers across Australia.

We provide interpreters for appointments involving anyone who uses Sign Language to communicate. This includes interpreters for Deaf/blind people.

Q: What is Video Remote Interpreting?

Find out more here about Video Remote Interpreting.

Q: What is Skype?

Skype is free software that you can download. It allows you to make voice and video calls over the Internet. Skype is used for Video Remote Interpreting. You will need a webcam, microphone and speakers. You can find out more about Skype here.

Q: What is Deaf Interpreting?

Deaf Interpreters (also known as Deaf Relay Interpreters) work with consumers who have additional or unique communication needs, including international signers, people who are Deafblind and Indigenous Deaf people. Deaf Interpreters work with Hearing Interpreters to facilitate communication. For many social, cultural or medical reasons some Deaf consumers have extra communication needs. Some examples are developmental delays; serious illness that may affect clear signing; limited exposure to English and/or Auslan; Deaf Indigenous Sign dialects/tactile sign language.

Please visit the ASLIA website for more information on Deaf Interpreting.

Q: What if I am a Deaf consumer and a Professional or Government Service Provider says I don’t need an interpreter but I want to use one?

You can contact the Health Complaints Commission in your State or Territory. It is important to have an interpreter present at an appointment for legal and other reasons, including informed consent. Further information can also be found in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Q: How do I make a complaint?

All complaints and feedback about NICSS is important. It helps ensure we provide the best possible service. You can fill out our online feedback form or email NICSS. All complaints and feedback NICSS receives is strictly confidential.

Q: Does NICSS keep information confidential?

NICSS abides by the Privacy Act 1988. All information remains private and confidential. No information is disclosed to any person who has no right to see it.

Q: What is NICSS Privacy Statement?

NICSS respects the privacy of all persons who utilise its functions and services. We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the Privacy Act 1988 (which regulate how organisations may collect, use, disclose and store personal information and how individuals may access and correct personal information held about them). See the complete NICSS Privacy Statement HERE.

Q: How do I register to work for NICSS?

NICSS employs NAATI accredited interpreters at Paraprofessional (formerly level 2) and Professional Interpreter (formerly level 3) levels and Deaf Interpreters (also known as Deaf Relay Interpreters) who have either satisfied the criteria of the NABS/ASLIA DI testing process and/or have certification via a state based DI training program. Follow this link for more information.

If you satisfy the above criteria you can email NICSS to register for employment.

Q: What is NAATI?

The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI) is the peak body responsible for setting and monitoring the standards for the translating and interpreting profession in Australia. It does this through its system of accreditation. For more information visit the NAATI website.

Q: Why does NICSS only employ NAATI accredited Interpreters?

NAATI accreditation is the only qualification officially accepted for the profession of translation and interpreting in Australia. All government Translation and Interpreting (T&I) services require translators and interpreters to be NAATI accredited whenever possible.

NAATI accreditation has been instrumental in providing quality assurance to recipients of T&I services and to giving credibility to agencies that employ accredited practitioners.

Q: How do I become an accredited AUSLAN Interpreter?

There are two ways you can become an accredited AUSLAN Interpreter:

You can apply directly with NAATI. Visit the NAATI website for more information on sitting the NAATI accreditation test
You can enrol in a nationally recognised course to gain a Diploma of Interpreting. For more information email NICSS.

Q: How does NICSS choose interpreters to attend bookings?

NICSS will make all reasonable efforts to provide an interpreter based on the client’s requirements, utilising local interpreters as a first preference where possible.

Where a client has not specified a preferred interpreter efforts will be made by NICSS to determine any requirements that the sign language user may have. If such efforts are unsuccessful then accredited same gender interpreters are generally engaged.

Local interpreters will be used as a first preference for all bookings wherever possible.

When a Deaf consumer requires additional communication assistance a Deaf Interpreter (DI), also known as a Deaf Relay Interpreter, may be booked. The Professional Service Provider or a case manager may inform NICSS when a DI is required.

See Book An Interpreter for more information.

Q: When will I get paid?

NICSS interpreters must submit completed job sheets on a weekly basis as part of their conditions of employment. The Job Sheet must be signed by the service provider or their staff representative. All details on the job sheet must be completed – job date, job number, appointment details, duration, travel and any additional expenses.

NICSS processes job sheets fortnightly and interpreters will be paid according to level of accreditation and the agreed duration of the job. A current interpreter pay date list with cut off dates for submitting pay sheets is available in the Interpreter Log in section of the NICSS website.

Q: How do I know what I have been paid?

NICSS interpreters will receive notification in the mail when they have been paid. Interpreters may access itemised invoices for payments from the NICSS Interpreter log in page or from the Interpreter (goTerp) App on your Smart Phone or tablet. You will need to know your username and password. Please email NICSS to obtain a username and password.

Q: Where can I find information about how to use the goTerp smartphone App for interpreters?

Information on the goTerp Smartphone App for Interpreters can be found here.

Q: How can I contact NICSS?

There are 6 ways to contact NICSS.

Phone	1800 24 69 45
Fax	1800 24 69 14
TTY	1800 24 69 48
SMS	0427 67 12 61
Email	bookings@nicss.org.au
Online	Web Online booking form

Q: When can I contact NICSS (NICSS operating hours)?

NICSS operates nationally between the hours of 8am and 6pm (local time) Monday to Friday excluding all National Public Holidays. NICSS contact details.

Q: Is NICSS a free service?

No. NICSS is a FEE PAYING sign language interpreting service.

Q: How do I book an interpreter?

Booking an Interpreter is EASY. Complete a booking form or contact our friendly staff.

Q: What type of services can I book a NICSS interpreter for?

You can book an interpreter for a wide range of conferences, meetings and events involving a sign language user. Find out more about NICSS services.

Q: Can I choose an interpreter?

Yes. You can ask NICSS to book an interpreter of your choice. If your preferred interpreter is not available, NICSS will advise you and source an alternative interpreter with your approval. If you don’t have a preferred interpreter, NICSS will always source the closest appropriately qualified interpreter on your behalf. Find out more about NICSS Interpreters.

Q: Can I have a NICSS interpreter at the hospital (Public and Private)?

Yes. Some examples of when you can use a NICSS interpreter in a medical situation are:

Public Hospitals*
- Doctor appointment
- On the Ward
- Overnight Stays
- Emergency Department
Private Hospitals*
- On the Ward
- Overnight Stays

Q: Do I need an interpreter?

If you are a Professional or Government service provider and you want to ensure clear communication with a Deaf client you may choose to use a NICSS interpreter. This service is provided under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Also see Letter for the Professional Service Provider.

Q: How do I become a NICSS interpreter?

NICSS employs NAATI accredited interpreters at Paraprofessional (formerly Level 2) and Professional (formerly Level 3) levels and Deaf Relay Interpreters. Information about NICSS interpreters.

Q: Will NICSS book, cancel or change an appointment between the Service Provider and the Deaf Consumer?

No. It is the responsibility of the service provider and their client to manage the appointment.

Q: Do I tell NICSS if the appointment is cancelled?

Yes. NICSS will need to cancel the interpreter. It is important to let NICSS know immediately an appointment is cancelled. Appointments cancelled under 24 hours (or one business day) are charged at the full rate.

Q: Can I book NICSS for medical and health care appointments?

If your appointment is NOT a private medical or health care appointment NICSS can book an interpreter for you. Follow the link for a list of services covered by NICSS.

The National Auslan Interpreter Booking & Payment Service (NABS) provides interpreters for private medical and health care appointments. Find out more about NABS services here.

Q: What services are FREE for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?

ALL interpreting services for both public and private health care appointments are provided FREE to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sign Language users. The National Auslan Interpreter Booking & Payment Service (NABS) provides interpreters for health care appointments. Find out more about NABS services here. Follow the link for more information about the NICSS services.

Q: What is NICSS?