The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has refurbished the policy and resources needed to ensure speakers of languages other than English can fully access Government services.
According to the DPC, the South Australian Interpreting and Translating Policy for Migrant and Non-Verbal (Sign) Languages will ensure speakers of languages other than English are not disadvantaged when accessing Government services and information.
“All South Australian Government Agencies, including statutory bodies, are required to use professional interpreting and translating services when English language proficiency is a barrier to effective communication between government staff and a client, or when requested by a client,” the Department said.
“Supporting this across-government policy are eight fact sheets to assist government agencies and statutory bodies in complying with the policy and maintaining their own agency-specific operational policies,” it said.
“The across-government policy and fact sheets have been updated following the release of the 2021 Census data and are now available.”
According to the 2021 Census, more than 317,200 South Australians spoke a language other than English, including 4,450 people who speak Australian Indigenous languages and about 1,400 people who communicate with non-verbal (sign) languages.
The Department said the new Policy would ensure that speakers of languages other than English are not disadvantaged when accessing or receiving South Australian Government services and information.
It said the Policy would require South Australian Government agencies, including statutory bodies, to have their interpreting and translating policies that consider when and how they will: engage interpreters, procure interpreting and translating services and apply the Policy to their funded organisations.
The DPC’s 4-page Policy can be accessed at this PS News link.
