Translators transfer a source text form one language into another, usually within an extended time frame to allow for corrections and modifications and without the presence of the participants requiring the translation.

Skill Level

1

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Translator is National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• NAATI require that applicants gain NAATI Certification through testing to obtain a positive skills assessment
• Translators are required to complete NAATI’s Certified Translator Test (the Test) to have their skills and competencies objectively assessed for practice in Australia
• The Test is delivered online and comprises the three following tasks:
  • Two translations of a Non-specialised Text
  • One revision of a Non-Specialised Translation
• It should be noted that candidates are prohibited from using Microsoft Word or any other grammar/spelling tools
• The skills and competencies assessed in the Test are as follows:
  • Translations of a Non-Specialised Text
    • Assessors are examining:
      • Transfer competency – transfer skills, follow translation brief and application of textual norms and conventions
      • Language competency – language proficiency enabling meaning transfer in the target language
    • Revision of a Non-Specialised Translation
      • Assessors are examining:
        • Transfer competency – revision sills and application of translation standards knowledge
      • Applicants should aim for at least Band 2 in each criterion (Band 1 is the highest and Band 5 is the lowest). Applicants must pass al three tasks to pass the test.
• NAATI have also developed a practice test to assist applicants to prepare
• NAATI also requires the following for a skills assessment:
  • Qualification assessed as comparable to Australian doctorate degree, Australian bachelor degree or Australian diploma or trade qualification; and
  • Skilled employment within the occupation of translator, at a professional level that is paid and continuous for a minimum of 20 hours per week; and
  • Work reference and proof of income must be provided for each skilled employment role

Research and study human behaviour, society and institutions from current and historical perspectives, and verbally render spoken statements, and transcribe text and recorded spoken material from one language into another.

Tasks

• Assembling historical data by consulting sources of information such as historical indexes and catalogues, archives, court records, diaries, newspaper files and other materials
• Organising, authenticating, evaluating and interpreting historical, political, sociological, archaeological, anthropological and linguistic data
• Undertaking historical and cultural research into human activity, and preparing and presenting research findings
• Providing simultaneous and consecutive verbal or signed renditions of speeches into another language
• Rendering the meaning and feeling of what is said and signed into another language in the appropriate register and style in a range of settings such as courts, hospitals, schools, workplaces and conferences
• Studying original texts and transcripts of recorded spoken material to comprehend subject matter and translating them into another language
• Rendering the meaning and feeling of written material, such as literary, legal, technical and scientific texts, into another language in the appropriate register and style, so that it will read as an original piece rather than as a translation

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Occupations in this Group

• 272411 Historian
• 272412 Interpreter
• 272413 Translator
• 272414 Archaeologist
• 272499 Social Professionals nec