Esteemed Members, Colleagues,
By the time you read this, I will have relocated from Brisbane to Melbourne.
I would like to thank the Queensland Branch for everything they have made possible over the past six years while I have lived in the Sunshine State.
It is a pity I won’t be able to make it to Queensland’s Big PD Day this year, although I have been lucky to attend and contribute to it in previous years.
I am, however, certain it will be a fantastic day of learning and connection, as always.
I am also grateful for the support from the University of Queensland which continues to make this event possible.
I am looking forward to catching up with colleagues in the Victoria Branch at one of our upcoming social events.
In the meantime, I would like to share some important developments that have occurred in our profession over the past two months.
Code of Conduct for AUSIT Office-Bearers
In recent months I have been developing a code of conduct for people who hold official positions within our association.
The idea behind the code is to set the standards of behaviour for those office-bearers in the discharge of their official duties. This would have two main benefits:
- Office-bearers would clearly understand what is expected of them when they assume office.
- There would be a transparent and uniform process to resolve disputes among or involving office-bearers.
This second benefit is particularly important, as when disputes go unresolved, they can compromise the fulfilment of AUSIT’s objectives, and in some cases, even damage AUSIT’s standing in the T&I profession, and relationships with external stakeholders.
In a volunteer-led organisation like AUSIT, the work of our teams across Australia is essential. Also crucial is the provision of a safe working environment that allows them to contribute.
You can read the Code of Conduct for AUSIT Office-Bearers here, or via the Organisational Structure page of the AUSIT website.
Please note that, for the purposes of this Code, an ‘office-bearer’ is defined as any individual holding a position of authority within AUSIT. This includes both paid and unpaid office-bearers. Examples of AUSIT office-bearers include, but are not limited to:
- members of AUSIT’s National Council;
- members of AUSIT’s Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Groups;
- delegates of AUSIT’s Language Divisions;
- AUSIT’s Administration Officers; and
- contractors engaged by AUSIT.
It is also important to note that the Code solely governs the behaviour of AUSIT office-bearers in the discharge of their duties. The behaviour of translators and interpreters during their professional work continues to be governed by the AUSIT Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. In this way, the two Codes operate independently of each other, and should not be confused with one another.
I would like to thank members of the National Council and past AUSIT presidents for contributing ideas and revisions to the code.
I am also grateful for the assistance I received from Anna Grogan, Dave Deck, Eirlys Chessa, Giuseppina Pungitore, Jim Hlavac, Patricia Evelin Argüello de Avila, Sebastien Robin and Vesna Flower Cvjetićanin.
Now that the Code has been passed by the National Council, I encourage all members to become familiar with its contents.
AUSIT Best Practices for the Translation of Official and Legal Documents
I am pleased to announce the publication of another AUSIT document: Best Practices for the Translation of Official and Legal Documents.
This style guide will provide much needed guidance to ensure consistency across translated official and legal documents. Its guidelines touch upon various elements of official document translation, including:
- types of translation (certified, full, extract, partial)
- document structure (letterhead, stamps, certification statements, source document handling, formatting)
- content conventions (names, numbers, dates, currencies, images/stamps/signatures, handwriting, errors, gender-inclusive language)
- practical issues (subpoenas, record-keeping, conflicts of interest, use of translation technology, document revisions).
This document was first published by AUSIT in 2014. It was based on the New Zealand Society of Translators & Interpreters’ ‘Guidelines for the Translation of Official and Legal Documents’ (2005). I thank Isabelle Poff-Pencole, in particular, for that contribution. A minor update by AUSIT’s Ethics and Professional Practice Committee followed in 2022, mainly to refresh terminology and account for the passage of time.
This new, major revision has resulted in a significantly longer document which has been restructured to bring together related content, and information and examples on topics not previously covered have been added.
Credit for this revision goes to Jacqueline Skewes and her team: Catherine Pfammatter, Gustavo Martínez Ursi, Lily Cheung, Saeed Khosravi and Yehuda Kaplan.
Overall, the revision does not significantly change the meaning of earlier content, so practitioners following previous guidance should remain generally compliant.
I am looking forward to turning to these guidelines when I come across tricky issues in my translation work, as I am sure other AUSIT members will too.
Miranda Lai and Erika Gonzalez Honoured for Breaking Down Language Barriers in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion
I was delighted to hear that my alma mater RMIT University has been presented with a Platinum Award at the 2026 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.
A key highlight of this recognition is the expansion of the LGBTIQA+ Multilingual Terminology Guide.
This resource helps people from diverse language and cultural backgrounds find affirming, culturally appropriate ways to describe identity across nine languages.
Since its 2023 launch, the guide has attracted more than 26,000 views. This underscores the real need that it fills for both LGBTIQA+ individuals and T&I practitioners who are navigating public services. It is especially important for practitioners who work in languages which lack well-established inclusive terminology.
This important project was led by Dr Miranda Lai and Associate Professor Erika Gonzalez, who currently serve as AUSIT’s National Secretary and Immediate Past Present respectively. I hope colleagues will join me in congratulating them on this incredible achievement. Their dedication to breaking down language barriers and fostering belonging for LGBTIQA+ communities is truly impressive.
This valuable resource has been added to the Guidelines and Resources for Practitioners page on the AUSIT website. While you’re there, check out the other resources available too.
Queensland Government Language Services Program Framework
The Queensland Language Services Program Framework has now been published.
This is the first time the Queensland Government has published a public-facing document that is aimed at improving language services.
The framework will affect all T&I services purchased by Queensland Government departments and agencies. I encourage practitioners who deliver T&I services in Queensland to review it. In particular, I recommend you familiarise yourself with the quality assurance processes outlined therein.
I draw members’ attention to the section on improving access to interpreter services in regional, rural, remote and First Nations communities.
There is also a page dedicated to working conditions and support for practitioners.
The Principal Policy Officer of Language Services at Queensland’s Department of Health, Angel Bogicevic, will be speaking at the upcoming ‘Big PD Day‘ on 29 August. He will be sharing more information about his work reforming Queensland’s health language services. I strongly recommend that interpreters based in Queensland attend Angel’s talk – along with, of course, those by the other excellent speakers presenting on the day.
QLD-based practitioners: calling for your stories of suboptimal interpreting by non-credentialled interpreters
Karim (Chair, QLD Branch), Patricia (Chair, Advocacy Committee) and I recently visited QLD MP the Honourable Margie Nightingale to discuss pressing issues for community interpreters and ask for her assistance in highlighting these issues to the QLD Parliament at large, with the hope of finding solutions.
Having worked as a mental health nurse – a role in which she had to engage interpreters – Margie is quite savvy regarding the differences between professional interpreters and bilinguals with little training and no qualifications. She insisted that stories of real lived experiences may persuade her parliamentary colleagues to take ‘corrective action’ (our words, not hers) and start putting in place measures to improve interpreting services in our state.
She asked us, therefore – during our work as interpreters – to collect accounts from CaLD community members where they felt the interpreter was less than optimal.
The names of the CaLD persons and interpreters involved should not be shared, but it would assist the group working on this if you give details of the settings – i.e. names of hospitals, health services, courts, etc.
Stories should be clear, concise and precise, and ideally no longer than 250 words. Please send your stories to: ausit-advocacy-committee@
Practitioners from other states – advocacy callout
Can you identify an MP in your state who may be willing to take a similar initiative forward to their colleagues? Why not join the Advocacy Committee and work with us to make this a nationwide initiative? Contact the Advocacy Committee at ausit-advocacy-committee@
Discussing Prices and Complying with Competition Law
I would like to take the opportunity to remind members of AUSIT’s obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Under Australian law, professional associations must not recommend minimum prices. We are also not allowed to take action against members who price below a suggested minimum. Price fixing – the practice of rival businesses agreeing not to sell goods or services below a certain price – is a serious criminal offence.
The publication of our Translator Guide on Fee Scale, Costs and Pricing late last year was intended as a reference document only, and was particularly targeted at new practitioners entering the profession. After undergoing multiple revisions, the legal advice we received confirmed the publication is compliant with Australia’s competition law.
Suffice to say, AUSIT members need to understand that businesses must be able to independently set their own prices. Discussing, sharing, or agreeing on prices with competitors carries considerable legal risk.
AUSIT will not accept this risk to our compliance with competition law in any of our communications. That includes newsletters like this one, as well as discussions on social media, instant messaging, and other communication platforms facilitated by AUSIT.
Some practitioners may disagree with colleagues charging lower prices than they do for the same work. Frustrating as that may be, setting low prices for translation work does not constitute a breach of the Code of Ethics, and it would also be unlawful to make any kind of price quoting a breach of the Code.
I encourage all members to learn more about AUSIT’s obligations under competition law on the ACCC’s website. The page on Industry Associations in particular is highly recommended reading.
Thank you, Hayley Armstrong
After six years as T&I Editor of our own In Touch magazine and Chair of its Editorial Committee, Hayley Armstrong is stepping down to focus on a new teaching role and her young family.
Since 2020, Hayley has shaped every issue of the magazine. She has connected with translators and interpreters across the profession, curating stories on industry trends and liaising with publishers and archives. She has also worked closely with the Content Editor on everything from article balance to layout and design.
Hayley has approached the role with genuine curiosity, sound ethical judgement, and a real commitment to reflecting the breadth of our profession.
Please join me in thanking Hayley for her dedication and the lasting mark she has left on In Touch.
If you are interested in becoming the next T&I Editor, Hayley gives an overview of the role and what it involves on page 19 of the latest issue of In Touch. Here is what the position entails:
- Working closely with In Touch Content Editor and Designer
- Reporting to Vice-President (Communications & Public Relations)
- Managing the balance of content and generating ideas
- Overseeing the production schedule
- Soliciting contributions and reviewing submissions
- Convening the Editorial Committee on a regular basis
- Liaising with stakeholders and contributors
- Generating content where appropriate
- Producing an annual report for the National Council
- Conducting an annual service review with the Content Editor and Designer to identify issues with work processes, if any, and enhance efficiency.
The current fee per issue of 20 pages is $1,273.84 ex GST, or $63.69 per page, with adjustment in each new financial year.
If you have any queries about the position you are welcome to email [email protected].
Please email EOI (including CV and an outline of your interest in, and suitability for, the position) to: [email protected] by COB, Monday 31 August. Interviews will be held the following week, and the successful candidate will need to hit the ground running, as the submission deadline for the October issue is 1 August, and some articles are already underway.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication that members continue to demonstrate toward both our profession and the AUSIT community. As the association looks toward the new financial year ahead, member engagement remains critical to our continued success.
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With warmth and gratitude, Carl Gene Fordham National President Australian Institute of Interpreters & Translators (AUSIT) |
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