Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English)

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have successfully completed Year 12 of secondary education or its equivalent or have appropriate and relevant experience.

English proficiency requirement:
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English with one of the following requirements:

IELTS overall band score 6.0 with a minimum score of 6 in the speaking and listening components
A TOEFL (iBT) overall band score (only accepted if test is taken on or before 25 July 2023) of 64, with a minimum score of 64 in the speaking and listening components
A PTE Academic overall band score of 50, with a minimum score of 50 in listening and 50 in speaking

Course Details

The Diploma of Interpreting provides foundation skills for new entrants to the interpreting industry. It reflects the skills and knowledge required to interpret in general dialogue settings, with the potential to interpret in general monologue settings, where the interpreter is able to physically control the discourse to assist retention and recall.

This qualification is available in the following languages:

• Mandarin to/from English
• Spanish to/from English
• Bangla to/from English

The availability of these languages is subject to change.

Course Structure

Core Units of Competency

PSPTIS001 – Apply codes and standards to ethical practice

PSPTIS002 – Build glossaries for translating and interpreting assignments

PSPTIS003 – Prepare to translate and interpret

PSPTIS040 – Interpret in general dialogue settings (LOTE-English)

PSPTIS041 – Interpret in general monologue settings (LOTE-English)

PSPTIS042 – Manage discourses in general settings

PSPTIS043 – Use routine subject matter terminology in interpreting (LOTE-English)

Elective Units of Competency

BSBDIV301 – Work effectively with diversity

PSPTIS044 – Demonstrate routine LOTE proficiency in different subjects and cultural contexts

PSPTIS045 – Demonstrate routine English proficiency in different subjects and cultural contexts

PSPTIS047 – Use routine health terminology in interpreting (LOTE-English)

PSPTIS048 – Use routine legal terminology in interpreting (LOTE-English)

Pathways from the qualification

After achieving this qualification, students may undertake the Advanced Diploma of Translating at AIC or the Advanced Diploma of Interpreting at other institutions. Articulation into programs in higher education may be possible.

Career Opportunities

Employment in interpreting varies with the market for interpreting in particular languages and domains. This diploma prepares interpreters for work typically in community and business domains such as general health, welfare and community services, non-complex disability assistance, educational and social contexts, initial police interviews, over-the-counter interviews in customer and community information services, tourism, and other informal business and workplace contexts where the consequences of errors in communicative intent can be readily managed.

The majority of interpreters are self-employed and are contracted on a sessional basis either directly or through interpreting service providers to work on interpreting assignments, but may find permanent employment in a specific sector such as education, government or health, or may work with a diverse range of clients and sectors. Interpreters may be contracted to work in a team.