Printer-friendly VersionLanguage Line Overview
Overview
Language Line provides an efficient solution to unexpected language problems.
Language Line is a telephone service that is funded by the Government. The service offers clients of the participating agencies free interpreting in 39 different languages. It was launched as a 12 month pilot in April 2003 by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Chris Carter.
Since July 2004, Language Line has become a permanent service and continues to be managed by the Office of Ethnic Affairs.
The service is designed to be as user friendly as possible. Anyone wanting an interpreter simply visits or calls a participating agency. Within minutes, an interpreter is available on the telephone allowing the official and the client to communicate efficiently and with confidentiality. Language Line also offers the clients an opportunity to choose the gender of their interpreter.
Over 120,000 interpreting sessions have taken place since Language Line first began in April 2003. Agencies use it for everything from arranging an appointment to registering a birth.
The opportunity to interact with government agencies is important for all citizens and vital for the effective settlement of new migrants. Language Line improves customer services for all the non-English speaking clients of the participating agencies.
Please contact the Language Line team if we can help you use the service.