Translating and interpreting is the application of bilingual skills to transferring meaning across two languages, accurately and impartially, in order to facilitate communication in a range of cross-cultural communication settings.

Translation is transferring meaning in writing across two languages.

Interpreting is transferring meaning orally across two languages.

The Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting offers advanced training in written and oral transfer skills, as well as advanced studies in the internationally acceptable theory, ethics, and professional and contextual aspects of interpreting and translating appropriate to practice at the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) professional level.

This program consists of 10 compulsory courses. A practicum period or a period of guided workplace orientation is also compulsory. Classroom activities, field practice and assessments are a combination of theoretical and practical aspects, and the focus is on developing the necessary translating and interpreting skills to enable you to pass the final examinations, which are the NAATI Accreditation Examinations.

The Advanced Diploma is best suited to candidates who have an advanced level of bilingual proficiency and general knowledge and wish to undertake training leading to NAATI professional translator and interpreter accreditation. In line with international practice and the NAATI accreditation system, the Advanced Diploma leads to three separate professional accreditations: interpreter, translator from English into LOTE, and translator from LOTE into English. You will need to gain a distinction or higher in the final examinations in these professional courses to gain NAATI accreditation. You do not need to achieve NAATI professional accreditation in order to qualify for the award, providing you successfully complete all your courses according to RMIT criteria (attain a pass grade or higher in all ten compulsory courses). The selection test is designed to assess the potential of candidates to achieve at least one of these accreditations depending on their particular bilingual proficiency.

RMIT has approval from NAATI to offer a range of languages, including AUSLAN. These languages are offered on the basis of student demand and upon advice from the Program Advisory Committee, which represents the industry and monitors its needs.

Applicants and other stakeholders are strongly advised to contact the School to make sure their language of choice is offered prior to applying.

Not all languages offered in any one academic year will be offered in both the full-time and part-time modes.

All languages offered in any one academic year are subject to minimum numbers being achieved.

This program has a strong industry base. It is a NAATI requirement that the practical translating and interpreting courses in the programs are taught by NAATI-accredited and current practitioners. These practitioners cannot, therefore, be full-time members of staff in the School. Classes may thus be scheduled after hours or on weekends depending on the availability of such practitioners.

Class times and staffing are not negotiable by students.

Work Experience

You will complete a compulsory practicum period in an appropriate supervised placement at the workplace or in the context of other guided workplace orientation.

Duration

One year full-time or two years part-time.

Pathways

Graduates of this program who have been successful in gaining a place in the Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) will be eligible to apply for exemptions of one to one-and-a-half years, leaving an additional one-and-a-half to two years to complete the degree program. Applications will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Graduates of this program who already have a bachelor degree and who have been successful in gaining a place in the Master of Social Science (Translating and Interpreting Studies) will be eligible to apply for an exemption of one semester, leaving an additional two semesters to complete the master program.

Note: In TAFE, RMIT University recognises and accepts any Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment that are issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Credit will therefore be given for modules or units of competency for which an original official certificate or Statement of Attainment is produced.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates are employed as contractors to translating and interpreting service providers or in public and private sector organisations such as hospitals, courts, businesses, government departments, or as independent practitioners. The professional level accreditation is also very well known and accepted on the international employment market, particularly in business and diplomacy.

Professional Recognition

This program is approved by NAATI at the professional level. If you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma and achieve 70% or above in one of the final translating or interpreting examinations-referred to as the Accreditation Examinations-you are eligible to be recommended to NAATI for the Professional Translator or Interpreter accreditation.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants must:

be at least 18 years of age on 1 January of the year of application;
have satisfactorily completed Year 12 units 3 & 4—English (any) or_equivalent;
have successfully completed a bilingual selection test as determined by the School. The test may include written essay and tasks in translation, comprehension, oral and bilingual listening comprehension. Applicants are screened for potential to achieve at least one of the NAATI professional accreditations offered by the program.

Note: Selection tests will be conducted once applications have closed. Applicants will be notified in writing by the School of the specific arrangements, times and venues.

It is the responsibility of all applicants for the Translating and Interpreting program to ensure that they attend the selection tests as notified by the School. The timing of the selection tests is not negotiable by applicants, and individual test times cannot be arranged.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information .

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time /part-time applicants—RMIT direct application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 7 January
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information .

Fees

TAFE

The following fees relate to 2008 and should be used only as a guide.

State Government Subsidised Place (SGSP)
The 2008 tuition fee for TAFE programs was $1.37 per contact hour with the minimum fee of $55 and a maximum fee of $877 per year. Students eligible for concession contributed a maximum of $55.

Fee Paying Place (FPP)
Selected TAFE programs are available on a fee paying basis.

FPP students are required to pay the complete cost of their program. FPP fees vary according to each program. For details on program fees please contact the relevant school.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/tafe

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information .

Additional Expenses

Students may be required to purchase certain textbooks, handbooks and other study material.

Program Structure

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Program Coordinator
School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning
Tel. 03 9925 2328
Fax: 03 9925 3049

Download this information as a pdf brochure (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Owning School

Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.