TIS Online - managing jobs made easy for agencies

TIS Online is a self-service booking tool that allows our agency clients to request, manage and monitor all of their TIS National interpreter bookings online, and allows our interpreters to select the jobs they would like to complete.

There is a range of benefits to using TIS Online:

• Manage your bookings: TIS Online gives you more visibility of your on-site, video remote or pre-booked phone interpreter requests and bookings, allowing you to view and make updates quickly and easily.
• Keep informed: TIS Online automatically sends you notifications by email or SMS as the status of your booking requests change.
• Quickly secure an interpreter: Using TIS Online helps us find an interpreter in the shortest possible time while ensuring you receive the highest credentialed interpreter available.
• Stay connected wherever you go: TIS Online works on mobile devices, allowing you to manage your bookings anywhere, anytime.
• Easily update your details: Agency Administrators can update your agency’s details and invite other staff members to use your TIS Online account.

All agencies with a TIS National account are automatically registered to use TIS Online to manage their on-site interpreter bookings. Visit the login to TIS Online page to get started.
If you don’t have log in details, please contact your Agency Administrator to be added as a booking agent.

TIS Online user guides for agencies

Pre-booked, video remote and on-site interpreting guide for agencies

The booking guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to book an interpreter via the pre-booked, video remote and on-site channels in TIS Online. 

Download the PDF version of Pre-booked, video remote and on-site interpreting guide for agencies
Download the Word version of Pre-booked, video remote and on-site interpreting guide for agencies

A guide to TIS Online account administration for agencies

The account administration guide will provide guidance on getting started using TIS Online, including adding agents to your account and logging in. 

Download the PDF version of A guide to TIS Online account administration for agencies
Download the Word version of A guide to TIS Online account administration for agencies

Help and support

You can contact the Service Delivery team if you need assistance using TIS Online. The team is available during standard business hours. For urgent enquiries outside of these hours, please call the TIS National contact centre on 131 450.

For assistance with matters not related to TIS Online, please refer to the contact us section of our website.

Get the most out of your interpreting session

The role of the interpreter

The interpreter’s role is to accurately convey the whole spoken message from one language to another while abiding by the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) Code of Ethics.

The AUSIT Code of Ethics is intended to regulate the professional conduct of Australian interpreters and includes:

• professional conduct
• confidentiality
• competence
• impartiality
• accuracy
• clarity of role boundaries
• maintaining professional relationships
• professional development
• professional solidarity.

The interpreter should arrive on time and stay for the duration of your booking, unless you require the session to finish early.

Some tips to help you work with interpreters most effectively are:

• Allow time prior to the interview to brief the interpreter so they have an understanding of what the session entails.
• Be sure to have a private area organised where the session can take place.
• Arrange seating in a triangular form to allow for easy communication between the interpreter and the client.
• It is ideal to position yourself so that the non-English speaking client is directly facing you and the interpreter is sitting to the side.
• Introduce yourself and brief the interpreter on the main topics you will be discussing.
• Ensure the interpreter knows what type of telephone you are using and if they are on speaker phone.
• Always speak in the first person and speak directly to the non-English speaker.
• Allow the interpreter to clarify information if necessary.
• Use clear language and short sentences.
• Avoid using jargon, slang, idioms or proverbs.
• Include a pause after each sentence so that the conversation participants do not talk over each other or cut each other off.
• If it is a long call, the interpreter may require a few minutes break on the half-hour.
• Clearly indicate the end of the conference call to everyone involved. 

Other useful resources 

Working with interpreters in the domestic violence sector - provided by The Department of Social Services

Does TIS National provide document translation services?

TIS National does not provide a commercial document translation service. If you need to complete a commercial translation, you can search for a credentialed translator through the National Accreditation Authority for Translating and Interpreting (NAATI) website.

The Department of Home Affairs provides a free translating service for people settling permanently in Australia. Permanent residents and select temporary or provisional visa holders are able to have up to ten eligible documents translated, into English, within the first two years of their eligible visa grant date.

From 1 July 2017, applications for the Free Translation Service are made online at translating.homeaffairs.gov.au. Clients need to provide evidence of their eligibility for this service when applying. More information about the Free Translating Service is available here.