Some people who come to resolve their dispute at the CTTT have English as a second language or may not feel comfortable speaking in English.  At the CTTT you can expect to receive equal access to our services regardless of your cultural, linguistic or religious background.

If you need language assistance, including Auslan, we will help you by using an accredited interpreter, the Telephone Interpreting Service (TIS), or a bilingual staff member. These services are free of charge to you.

For telephone language assistance call 13 14 50 and ask for an interpreter in your language.

Note:  All documents lodged at the CTTT must be in English.

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The CTTT will organise for interpreters at the hearing where required.  This service is free of charge to you.  A request for an interpreter should be made at least 1 week before the hearing. 

When asking for an interpreter you need to tell us:

• the language (including Auslan)
• the dialect, if applicable
• the gender of the interpreter, if important.

All interpreters engaged by the CTTT are accredited or recoginsed by the National Authority for the Accreditation of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).  The CTTT can also arrange for Auslan (Australian sign language) interpreters if you or a party to proceedings has a hearing impairment.

A Tribunal Member may also request an interpreter if they find that a party is not sufficiently able to understand the proceedings.

For the applicant

If you are the applicant, you can request an interpreter on the application form for you and/or the other party.  You can also contact the CTTT Registry and ask for an interpreter to be arranged.  

For the respondent

If you are a respondent, contact the CTTT Registry as soon as possible after you have received the Notice of Hearing to request an interpreter. 

Note: Family members or friends are not allowed to interpret in CTTT proceedings.

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The role of an interpreter during CTTT proceedings is to bridge the communication between two or more parties who do not speak the same language.

The interpreter must:

• Be impartial.  The interpreter cannot help you or the other party.  They can only interpret the words each person uses
• Keep everything that is said and interpreted confidential.

The interpreter cannot:

• Add or delete from the communication, but only interpret what has been said
• Provide you with advice or give his or her opinions or any other assistance
• Conduct the proceedings
• Speak to you outside the conciliation or hearing session.

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