Arranging interpreters
If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English, or you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, you may be able to get an interpreter to help you before and at court.
Contacting an interpreting service before you go to court
There are a number of interpreting services that may be able to assist you when you are preparing your case and if you need to contact the court, the other party or another organisation, including:
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Translating and Interpreting Service
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The Community Relations Commission
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National Relay Service
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Deaf Connect
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Other options
Translating and Interpreting Service
TIS National (TIS) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. TIS has a range of interpreters speaking various languages. TIS can arrange an interpreter to assist over the phone or to attend in person.
You can call TIS on 131 450 to make an enquiry.
For more information, go to the
TIS National website.
Multicultural NSW Language Services
Multicultural NSW Language Services provide comprehensive interpreting and translation services in many languages and dialects, including Auslan. Their services are available to all New South Wales government departments and agencies, as well as private and commercial organisations, community groups and individuals.
For more information, go to the
Multicultural NSW website.
National Relay Service
The National Relay Service (NRS) is a phone service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment.
For more information, go to the
National Relay Service website.
Deaf Connect
Deaf Connect provides interpreting and captioning services in a range of settings where deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind people as well as hearing people are able to communicate effectively with each other. They also provide deaf interpreters for deaf and deafblind people who require additional communication support. They can provide services for you either on-site or remotely via Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).
For more information, go to the
Deaf Connect website.
Other options
You can consider asking a support person to help you. They may be able to make calls for you, go with you to mediation or conciliation or to a meeting with a lawyer.
Getting an interpreter for court
If you need an interpreter to help you when you go to court you can contact the registry office of the court or tribunal that is hearing your case and tell them that you need an interpreter. Contact details for the registry should be on your court or tribunal documents.
The registry staff might be able to arrange an interpreter to come to court for you, or you may have to ask the Judge, Magistrate or Tribunal Member for an interpreter when you first go to court. Your case may then be adjourned (postponed) until another date while arrangements are made for an interpreter.
If the registry staff cannot organise an interpreter for you, you will need to organise the interpreter yourself. Multicultural NSW Language Services provides interpreting and translation services. For more information, go to the
Multicultural NSW website.
If you want to bring a support person with you to court you can, but they may not be able to act as an interpreter. It is always best to use a qualified interpreter.
Cost of an interpreter
Sometimes an interpreter will be provided to you for free, and sometimes you will need to pay.
Local courts provide free interpreters for:
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criminal cases
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applications for an AVO, and
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breach of an AVO
In local court civil cases you will need to pay for an interpreter. If you receive a pension or benefit, or have a low income, you can ask to be exempt from paying the fee.
If you are requesting an interpreter through Multicultural NSW Language Services, when you complete the Interpreter Request Form, under 'Any special requirements', you will need to ask for a fee exemption and explain why you are asking for an exemption. Information on fees and guidelines for fee exemption are on the Multicultural NSW website.
If you win your civil case, the cost of the interpreter could be included in the costs that the other party pays to you.
In the District and Supreme Court, free interpreters are provided for defendants and witnesses in criminal cases. In civil cases, parties have to arrange and pay for their own interpreters.
In tribunals, such as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) free interpreters may be provided to help you.