Aboriginal Interpreter Service

More than 100 Aboriginal languages and dialects are spoken in the Northern Territory (NT).

Aboriginal languages of the NT vary greatly in their grammatical structures, concepts and vocabulary.

Get the map of major Aboriginal languages of the NT PDF (2.7 MB).

Most widely spoken Aboriginal languages

Languages by community

This information is not intended to be exhaustive of all languages and dialects spoken in the NT.

The NT is one of the most linguistically diverse areas of the world.

For more information about Aboriginal languages of the NT, go to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website.

The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) helps to lessen language barriers faced by Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory (NT) who don't speak English as a first language.

Any organisations that need to communicate with non-English speaking clients can book an interpreter.

About the team

The AIS recruits and professionally develops a workforce of Aboriginal language interpreters in urban, regional and remote locations of the NT.

Interpreters are trained to:

• interpret accurately
• be confidential
• be impartial.

The use of professional Aboriginal interpreters is the most effective way to ensure your Aboriginal clients:

• understand you
• are able to fully express themselves.

What the service provides

For most of the widely spoken Aboriginal languages in the NT, the service provides:

• face-to-face, telephone and audio-visual interpreting services
• recorded and produced messaging.

What they don't provide

AIS doesn't assist with translating written documents.

Office locations

AIS has offices in the following regions:

• Barkly
• Big Rivers
• Central Australia
• Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield
• East Arnhem
• Top End.

Contact an AIS office.

This page has tips and examples on using plain English.

Use active voice, avoid passives

Change a passive statement to an active statement by supplying an actor (the doer). 

If the actor is unclear use ‘they’ or ‘somebody’.

Instead of 'He was arrested' try 'The police arrested him'.

Instead of 'If you tease the dog you will be bitten' try 'If you tease the dog he will bite you'.

Instead of 'You will be paid extra for overtime work,' try 'If you work overtime they will pay you more money'.

Instead of 'He broke the law so he was jailed,' try 'He broke the law so they put him in jail'.

Instead of 'His money was stolen,' try 'Somebody stole his money'.

Avoid abstract nouns

Replace abstract nouns with verbs (doing words) or adjectives (describing words). An abstract noun is something that is intangible, like an idea or feeling, and cannot be detected with the senses.

Instead of 'It has no strength,' try 'It is not strong' (adjective used).

Instead of 'That was due to his good management,' try 'He managed things properly, so that happened' (verb used).

Instead of 'His patience has run out,' try 'He will not be patient any more' (adjective used).

Instead of 'His anger led him to violence,' try 'He was angry. That made him violent' (adjective used).

Instead of 'He enjoys going for a run,' try 'He likes running' (verb used).

Avoid negative questions

Instead of 'Isn’t he the boss?' try 'Is he the boss?'

Instead of 'You never did that before, did you?' try 'Have you ever done this before?'

Instead of 'So you didn’t report the trouble?' try 'Have you reported the trouble?'

Define unfamiliar words

Use the word, then attach a short descriptive statement.

Instead of 'This is Crown land,' try 'This is Crown land, which is land the Government owns'.

Instead of 'You have been given bail,' try 'The police gave you bail, which means you promise to come back to court next time and not get into any trouble while you’re waiting for court'.

Put ideas in chronological order

Instead of 'Prior to leaving the hotel, you had a drink?' try 'You had a drink at the hotel. Sometime after that you left the hotel. Is that true?'

Instead of 'You’re scheduled to move into the house next week, but you haven’t signed the tenancy agreement,' try 'First you have to sign the tenancy agreement. Then you can move into the house next week'.

Instead of 'Today we need to decide whether you’re going to have surgery, based on your test results from last week,'' try 'You came in last week and we checked your results. Today I want to tell you about the results, and then we can decide what to do next'.

Avoid multiple clauses in a sentence (one idea, one sentence) 

Break into several sentences.

Instead of 'Early resolution of disputes, especially through mediation, which contributes to building safer community environments, is encouraged,' try 'The government wants to make communities safer. That can happen if people solve arguments quickly. Mediation (talking about problems) is one way to solve arguments'.

Avoid if, but and hypothetical events

Be careful when using words like ‘if’ and ‘or’ to talk about hypothetical events which have not happened yet. 

Use maybe to indicate multiple possibilities.

Instead of 'We’ll build new houses if the funding is approved,' try 'Maybe they will give us money and we can build new houses. Maybe they won’t give us money, then we can’t build any new houses'.

Instead of 'If the corrections officer approves, can go to the football game,' try 'You must ask the corrections officer about going to the football game. Maybe she will say that you can go. Maybe she will say you cannot go. You must do what she says'.

Place cause before effect

Be wary of the word ‘because’.

Instead of 'You’re going to be imprisoned for three weeks because you didn’t comply with your orders,' try 'The judge gave you rules to follow. You didn’t follow those rules. That is why the judge is putting you in jail for three weeks'.

Instead of 'You were angry due to him insulting your sister?' try 'He insulted your sister and this made you angry. Is this true?'

Indicate when you change topic

'I’ve finished asking about your job. Now I need to ask you about your family.'

'Thanks for telling me about what happened last week. Now I want to talk to you about what we should do tomorrow.'

Avoid relying heavily on prepositions to talk about time

Prepositions are words like ‘to', 'from', 'on', 'at' and 'under’.

Instead of 'The program will operate from Wednesday to next Tuesday,' try 'The program will start on Wednesday and then finish next Tuesday'.

Instead of 'Your contract is under review,' try 'They are reviewing your contract'.

Instead of 'They will make a decision over the next three months,' try 'They will think about this for three months, and then they will decide what they will do'.

Avoid figurative language

Instead of 'Fight for your family,' try 'Work hard to keep your family together'.

Instead of 'When I said that, he just exploded,' try 'When I said that, he suddenly got angry and shouted at me'.

Instead of 'I want to make sure that we’re on the same page,' try 'I want to make sure we understand each other'.

Instead of 'Keep your eye on him,' try 'Keep watching him closely'.

The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) offers voice recording services in Aboriginal languages across the Northern Territory (NT).

This helps to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people and communities.

The AIS has provided voice recordings across a range of areas that have been used for:

• radio advertisements
• talking books
• talking posters
• computer apps
• web pages
• phone apps
• DVDs for services such as health.

Before you apply

Contact the AIS team first to discuss your needs.

This will help to assess the scope of your project.

Call 08 8999 6060 or email AIS.RecordingandProduction@nt.gov.au.

Plan your project

AIS can help to plan your recording project and advise if a project is possible or feasible.

They can also help you decide what aboriginal languages to use for your project.

Languages are subject to availability.

Scripting

Rescripters review all recording scripts and will provide feedback.

Not all project scripts can be converted into Aboriginal language.

They may rewrite the script in plain English for meaning based interpreting. They will also work with Aboriginal interpreters on the grammar and language.

All rescripts go through an approval process with you so it's accurate and effective before it's recorded.

Quality assurance

Where possible, 2 interpreters will be involved in the recording and editing process for quality assurance.

This makes sure the interpreters have the opportunity to talk about any language or scripting changes.

Fees

Read fees for Aboriginal Interpreter Service.

How to apply

Discuss your project with the AIS team first for requirements and suitability. You can then apply online for scripting and recording projects.

Applying online will take around 10 to 15 minutes.

You have to do all the steps at once, you cannot save the application to finish later.

Apply online

Other ways to apply

Fill in an application.

Application to use AIS for scripting and recording projects PDF (155.2 KB)
Application to use AIS for scripting and recording projects DOCX (33.4 KB)

Contact

For more information:

• Email  AIS.RecordingandProduction@nt.gov.au
• Phone  08 8999 6060

You can apply to become an Aboriginal interpreter in the Northern Territory (NT).

Applying online will take around 5 to 10 minutes.

You have to do all the steps at once, you cannot save the application to finish it later.

Apply online

Other ways to apply

Fill in an application.

Application to register as an interpreter DOCX (195.2 KB) DOCX (63.8 KB)
Application to register as an interpreter PDF (202.3 KB) PDF (161.4 KB)

Who can apply

To become an interpreter, you must be:

• fluent in an Aboriginal language and in English
• interested in being employed by the NT government.

What you need

You will need to provide contact details for at least one community referee.

After you apply

Your registration will be reviewed and a language assessment will be arranged with you.

Contact

For more information, contact your nearest Aboriginal Interpreter Service office.

The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) operates standard business hours between 8am and 4:21pm, Monday to Friday.

After hours interpreting services are available for urgent matters only.

Interpreter bookings

Call 1800 334 944 and follow the prompts to select the regional office.

• Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield - select option 1
• Central Australia - select option 2
• Barkly  -  select option 3
• Big Rivers - select option 4
• East Arnhem - select option 5
• Top End - select option 6.

Or you can email ais@nt.gov.au.

Find out how to book an Aboriginal interpreter.

Regional offices

For general enquiries or complaints, contact the relevant regional office listed below.

Local offices are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:21pm, and closed on public holidays.

If you use an Aboriginal interpreter, you may have to pay a fee.

Fees cover payment of interpreters, include administration costs and don't contain GST.

Fee types

There are 3 different fee types:

• on-site interpreting and recording projects including video interpreting
• telephone interpreting
• scripting.

Read below for detailed charges.

On-site and video interpreting

On-site and video interpreting is charged at a minimum of 2 hours at $140 and $70 per hour after that.

Any additional time, charged after minimum time, is calculated to the nearest 15 min.

Telephone interpreting

Telephone interpreting is charged at a minimum of 30 minutes at $35 and $70 per hour after that.

Any additional time, charged after minimum time, is calculated to the nearest 15 min.

Scripting

Scripting services are charged at a minimum of 1 hour at $100 and $100 per hour after that.

Any additional time, charged after minimum time, is calculated to the nearest 15 min.

Example charges

Additional costs

If an interpreter is required to travel to interpreting assignments, additional costs associated with travel and time away from home base may be charged to clients.

These can include:

• fares and accommodation costs will be charged on a cost recovery basis
• travel allowance including meals and incidentals will be charged at the applicable rate each calendar year
  • read Determination 1 of 2024 - annual review of allowances PDF (237.0 KB) on the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE) website.
• travel/away time allowance includes actual travel time as well as time not involved with the interpreting job (within standard business hours), and will be charged at the applicable interpreter level pay rate
  • read Schedule 3 of Determination 1013/2023 – Aboriginal language interpreters – casual employment PDF (544.8 KB) on the OCPE website.

Cancellation fees

If you cancel your  booking less than 24 hours before the job start time, you may be charged a cancellation fee.

The fee will be the minimum charge for the service booked, you may be charged:

• $140 for on-site and video interpreting
• $35 for telephone interpreting
• $100 for scripting services.

You may also be charged for any travel costs that apply at the time of cancellation.

How to pay your invoice

The AIS will arrange payment of interpreters and travel costs.

You must fill in and submit your interpreter time sheet as soon as possible after the assignment is over.

Interpreters are not paid until time sheets are submitted.

You will receive an invoice within 30 days of the assignment's completion.

It will include all associated costs and instructions on how to pay.

New AIS clients

All new clients must be set up with an account in our financial system.

Email ais@nt.gov.au with the following information:

• organisation trading name
• section name
• ABN
• postal address
• contact person name - this should be someone in your accounts section
• phone/mobile
• email.

Anyone who wants to become an interpreter for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) must do a language test.

You will be tested on your speaking and listening skills in English and your chosen Aboriginal language.

If you pass the test, you must complete a 3-day induction course.

The course covers topics like:

• the role of the interpreter
• Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) code of ethics
  • go to the AUSIT website
• interpreter expectations
• interpreting practice
• orientation to common interpreting jobs.

You will also be offered the chance to shadow experienced interpreters and do on-the-job training before taking on interpreting jobs independently.

Ongoing training

The AIS training team delivers training sessions, including professional development courses. It also supports interpreters through on-the-job observations.

Training sessions cover:

• general interpreting skills
• interpreting for meetings
• legal, health and relevant topics such as new government initiatives.

National accreditation

The AIS works with National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters to deliver online training and testing requirements for accreditation and recertification.

Code of ethics

AIS interpreters must follow the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators code of ethics.

The code includes all of the following:

• confidentiality
• impartiality
• accuracy
• professional conduct
• competence.

You can book an Aboriginal interpreter for on-site, phone or video interpreting services as well as scripting and recordings.

AIS doesn't assist with translating written documents.

These services are available from 8am to 4:21pm, Monday to Friday.

Before you book

To help AIS find a suitable and culturally-appropriate interpreter, you must provide the following information:

• your business organisation and section
• name of the non-English speaker (NESP) who needs an interpreter
• name, skin name, age and gender of the Aboriginal person who needs the interpreter
• Aboriginal language to be interpreted 
  • read the map to identify major languages spoken by community location PDF (2.7 MB)
• location/address of interpreting assignment
• date and time the service is needed
• topic of the interpreting assignment.

If you don't provide this information, AIS may cancel your request or may not be able to provide an appropriate service.

For questions about how your personal information will be handled, read the privacy policy on the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet website.

How to book

You can book online or by email.

Online

Go to Territory Services

Email

To apply by email, fill in the relevant form below and submit it to ais@nt.gov.au.

General matters PDF (563.3 KB)
General matters DOCX (66.6 KB)

Civil matters - legal PDF (568.2 KB)
Civil matters - legal DOCX (67.5 KB)

Criminal matters - legal PDF (570.7 KB)
Criminal matters - legal DOCX (68.1 KB)

After you submit booking request

Your booking request will be subject to availability and confirmation by AIS.

Once AIS receive your booking, they will contact you to discuss your request.

If your booking is confirmed, they will also:

• email you a booking receipt with an AIS job number referenced
• organise travel and transport arrangements for interpreters if required.

If your booking is confirmed

Once your job is confirmed, you must brief the interpreter about the interpreting job.

You can do this in person or over the phone.

After the interpreting job

You will receive an email from AIS to confirm the job has been completed.

If the job is complete

To ensure the interpreter is paid on time, you must reply with the job start and end times including any travel time and lunch breaks:

• in the email with any feedback
• using the timesheet provided.

You will be charged based on the hours submitted. Other fees may also apply.

To ensure the interpreter is paid on time, you should do this as soon as possible.

If the job is not complete

You must let AIS know in the email and explain why the job has not been completed.

A cancellation fee may apply if the interpreter attended the job, but the job was unable to proceed as planned.

You may also be charged for any travel costs applicable at time of cancellation.

How to pay

Within 30 days of the job's completion, you will receive an invoice which will include instructions on how to pay.

Read more about fees for AIS.

Change or cancel your booking

To change your booking, contact AIS by calling 1800 334 944 or emailing ais@nt.gov.au.

You must quote the job number provided in the confirmation email.

To cancel your booking, you must email ais@nt.gov.au at least 24 hours before the interpreting job was supposed to start.

If you don't provide 24 hours' notice, you may be charged a cancellation fee.

Contact

For more information, call 1800 334 944 and follow the prompts to select your region, or email ais@nt.gov.au.

The role of an Aboriginal interpreter is to make sure you and your Aboriginal clients who don't speak English as a first language:

• can understand each other
• have meaningful communication.

If you’re a service provider, you can access training to improve this communication. This is provided by the Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS).

Find out more below.

What the workshop covers

A standard workshop is 90 minutes and includes:

• introduction to how different languages work
• overview of Aboriginal languages spoken in the Northern Territory
• why context is important in communication
• how to avoid common areas of miscommunication
• how to communicate in plain English
• how to work with an interpreter
• practical tips for booking and using interpreters.

How to book

You can arrange a session by filling in the training request form.

Training can be delivered at:

• your organisation or
• an AIS office.

You can also book by filling in and submitting the training request form below.

Training request form DOCX (362.1 KB)
Training request form PDF (197.9 KB)

You can get the Northern Territory police caution in 18 Aboriginal languages. The caution is used by police when they want to question a suspect.

Read more about Aboriginal language police cautions on the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet website.

The Plain English Health Dictionary is a resource for Aboriginal Interpreter Services (AIS) interpreters working in the Northern Territory health sector.

You can use it to help communicate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when they access health services.

The dictionary translates concepts and terms from medical English into plain English.

It uses a style of English that closely matches the lexicon (words), syntax (grammar), discourse (genre and logic) of Aboriginal languages.

It also includes illustrations of body parts and medical equipment so clients have a clear understanding when consulting with a medical professional.

The content was selected and edited by local health professionals in consultation with AIS interpreters.

Get the dictionary:

Plain English Health Dictionary PDF (10.3 MB)
Plain English Health Dictionary PDF (26.7 MB) - for commercial printing (single pages)
Plain English Health Dictionary PDF (26.2 MB) - for commercial printing (spread).