Frequently Asked Questions
1
Is Strathmore Wood NDIS registered?
No. Therefore we can only support NDIS participants who are plan managed or self managed.
No. Therefore we can only support NDIS participants who are plan managed or self managed.
2
Booking an interpreter!
Bookings are preferably requested via the online form. The online form is accessible in both the desktop or mobile versions.
Amendments can be made by email or SMS.
To ensure clarity of communications, Auslan Alliance only uses the online booking form, emails or SMS so that there is an evidence trail for everyone’s benefit. This method also provides efficiency of service by Auslan Alliance to its clients.
Bookings are preferably requested via the online form. The online form is accessible in both the desktop or mobile versions.
Amendments can be made by email or SMS.
To ensure clarity of communications, Auslan Alliance only uses the online booking form, emails or SMS so that there is an evidence trail for everyone’s benefit. This method also provides efficiency of service by Auslan Alliance to its clients.
4
How many interpreters are required?
The first consideration is the dialogue that will take place between the client and the other party. The client may be a deaf or hearing person and the other party or vice versa.
Where the dialogue is, straightforward, content is light rather than intensive and is up to 1 hour, usually 1 interpreter is sufficient.
If the dialogue is straightforward and continues for more than 1 hour but no more than 2 hours, the interpreter should have regular breaks. These breaks are necessary for workplace health and safety reasons.
Where the dialogue is more intensive and/or involves several people partaking in the dialogue, 2 interpreters are required, even if it goes for less than 1 hour. Thus, the client will be charged for 2 interpreters.
If you are unsure, we will be more than happy to discuss your needs.
The first consideration is the dialogue that will take place between the client and the other party. The client may be a deaf or hearing person and the other party or vice versa.
Where the dialogue is, straightforward, content is light rather than intensive and is up to 1 hour, usually 1 interpreter is sufficient.
If the dialogue is straightforward and continues for more than 1 hour but no more than 2 hours, the interpreter should have regular breaks. These breaks are necessary for workplace health and safety reasons.
Where the dialogue is more intensive and/or involves several people partaking in the dialogue, 2 interpreters are required, even if it goes for less than 1 hour. Thus, the client will be charged for 2 interpreters.
If you are unsure, we will be more than happy to discuss your needs.
5
What are the hours of Interpreters?
Ordinary hours of interpreting are 8.00am to 6.00pm weekdays.
For bookings that occurs outside ordinary weekday hours but not including weekends incurs a 15% loading per hour.
Bookings occurring on a Saturday incurs a 20% loading per hour.
Bookings occurring on a Sunday or a gazetted Public Holiday incurs a 30% loading per hour.
Ordinary hours of interpreting are 8.00am to 6.00pm weekdays.
For bookings that occurs outside ordinary weekday hours but not including weekends incurs a 15% loading per hour.
Bookings occurring on a Saturday incurs a 20% loading per hour.
Bookings occurring on a Sunday or a gazetted Public Holiday incurs a 30% loading per hour.
6
Is there a minimum booking duration for interpreting?
Yes, there is a minimum booking duration. Each Auslan Alliance interpreter decides what their minimum duration is – either 1.5 or 2.0 hours.
The minimum duration for a preferred or available interpreter will be disclosed in the quote, alongside with the quoted price.
Yes, there is a minimum booking duration. Each Auslan Alliance interpreter decides what their minimum duration is – either 1.5 or 2.0 hours.
The minimum duration for a preferred or available interpreter will be disclosed in the quote, alongside with the quoted price.
7
Is there a minimum booking duration for learning?
Our minimum booking time is 1.0 hour per session. If travel time is required, travel charges/time may be charged additionally.
Our minimum booking time is 1.0 hour per session. If travel time is required, travel charges/time may be charged additionally.
8
Travel Expenses
Interpreters are engaged at different sites over a number of hours. This means that the most effective transport for interpreters is the car. Quite often, interpreters are required to use metered parking to get to the job easily and on time.
As a result, the client may be charged for parking costs related to that appointment.
Bookings are fulfilled using local suitable interpreters. However, there are times when interpreters may need to be sourced further away. Where travel exceeds 40kms, the client will be informed of this expense and will be quoted the mileage charge. Mileage is calculated at $0.66 per kilometre using Google Maps for vehicles.
The client can choose to decline this charge as well as cancel the booking provided this is done more than 48 hours prior to the start time of the booking.
Other travel charges may include airfares, travel time, accommodation and meal costs for sites for bookings that are further afield.
Interpreters are engaged at different sites over a number of hours. This means that the most effective transport for interpreters is the car. Quite often, interpreters are required to use metered parking to get to the job easily and on time.
As a result, the client may be charged for parking costs related to that appointment.
Bookings are fulfilled using local suitable interpreters. However, there are times when interpreters may need to be sourced further away. Where travel exceeds 40kms, the client will be informed of this expense and will be quoted the mileage charge. Mileage is calculated at $0.66 per kilometre using Google Maps for vehicles.
The client can choose to decline this charge as well as cancel the booking provided this is done more than 48 hours prior to the start time of the booking.
Other travel charges may include airfares, travel time, accommodation and meal costs for sites for bookings that are further afield.
9
Terms of payment
All invoices have a due date of 2 weeks.
All invoices have a due date of 2 weeks.
10
Preparation & working with interpreters
Where there is intensive or technical dialogue, interpreters greatly appreciate studying up any materials beforehand so that accurate and meaningful interpreting is delivered.
Auslan does not replicate English word for word and thus preparation through supplied materials enables interpreters to prepare cognitively and linguistically for all parties. Examples of materials may include PowerPoint slides, agendas, scripts, speeches, reference notes.
Auslan Alliance will suggest, where appropriate to the client, the supply of any materials beforehand.
The interpreter is the ‘voice’ of the deaf person/s, regardless whether the deaf person is the client or not. The interpreter is not an advocate for any person in the dialogue. The interpreter is a professional linguistic channel between the deaf and hearing parties. The interpreter may seek clarification or reiteration from either party to ensure that there is clear effective and efficient communication. At all times the hearing party speaks directly to the deaf party rather than at the interpreter.
Where there is intensive or technical dialogue, interpreters greatly appreciate studying up any materials beforehand so that accurate and meaningful interpreting is delivered.
Auslan does not replicate English word for word and thus preparation through supplied materials enables interpreters to prepare cognitively and linguistically for all parties. Examples of materials may include PowerPoint slides, agendas, scripts, speeches, reference notes.
Auslan Alliance will suggest, where appropriate to the client, the supply of any materials beforehand.
The interpreter is the ‘voice’ of the deaf person/s, regardless whether the deaf person is the client or not. The interpreter is not an advocate for any person in the dialogue. The interpreter is a professional linguistic channel between the deaf and hearing parties. The interpreter may seek clarification or reiteration from either party to ensure that there is clear effective and efficient communication. At all times the hearing party speaks directly to the deaf party rather than at the interpreter.
11
Insurances
Strathmore Wood holds the following insurance policies:
Workers Compensation
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
Strathmore Wood holds the following insurance policies:
Workers Compensation
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
12
Is there different levels of Interpreting?
There are 3 levels of interpreter accreditations.
Certified Provisional Interpreters (formerly Para-Professional Interpreters or Level 2 interpreters) are usually engaged for smaller groups/meetings and 1-1 appointments.
Certified Interpreters (formerly Professional Level or Level 3 interpreters) are engaged for more formal settings such as legal and court work, medical and financial appointments, large group meetings and most public events.
Conference Level interpreters are suitably trained and qualified to interpret proceedings in conferences, high level negotiations and court proceedings.
There are 3 levels of interpreter accreditations.
Certified Provisional Interpreters (formerly Para-Professional Interpreters or Level 2 interpreters) are usually engaged for smaller groups/meetings and 1-1 appointments.
Certified Interpreters (formerly Professional Level or Level 3 interpreters) are engaged for more formal settings such as legal and court work, medical and financial appointments, large group meetings and most public events.
Conference Level interpreters are suitably trained and qualified to interpret proceedings in conferences, high level negotiations and court proceedings.
13
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations are to be communicated by email or SMS directly to Auslan Alliance.
The client can cancel a confirmed booking without penalty if notice of cancellation is provided more than 48 hours before the start time of the confirmed start time of the booking.
If the client cancels a confirmed interpreter within 48 hours of the start time of the confirmed appointment time, 100% of the quoted cost is payable.
When an interpreter attends a confirmed booking which has been cancelled without providing notice to Auslan Alliance, the interpreter will wait for 30 minutes at the site. The interpreter and/or Auslan Alliance will contact the client to ascertain whether the booking is to proceed or not. 100% of the quoted cost is payable.
If the interpreter commences after a delay by the client, the interpreter cannot work beyond the original agreed finishing time unless the interpreter is available and is willing to work. Charges apply in 15 minutes’ increments beyond the original agreed finishing time.
In the unlikely event that an Auslan Alliance interpreter becomes unavailable, efforts will be made by Auslan Alliance to provide a substitute interpreter. The client will be updated accordingly. Auslan Alliance will ensure that an appropriate replacement interpreter will be matched to the booking.
All cancellations are to be communicated by email or SMS directly to Auslan Alliance.
The client can cancel a confirmed booking without penalty if notice of cancellation is provided more than 48 hours before the start time of the confirmed start time of the booking.
If the client cancels a confirmed interpreter within 48 hours of the start time of the confirmed appointment time, 100% of the quoted cost is payable.
When an interpreter attends a confirmed booking which has been cancelled without providing notice to Auslan Alliance, the interpreter will wait for 30 minutes at the site. The interpreter and/or Auslan Alliance will contact the client to ascertain whether the booking is to proceed or not. 100% of the quoted cost is payable.
If the interpreter commences after a delay by the client, the interpreter cannot work beyond the original agreed finishing time unless the interpreter is available and is willing to work. Charges apply in 15 minutes’ increments beyond the original agreed finishing time.
In the unlikely event that an Auslan Alliance interpreter becomes unavailable, efforts will be made by Auslan Alliance to provide a substitute interpreter. The client will be updated accordingly. Auslan Alliance will ensure that an appropriate replacement interpreter will be matched to the booking.
14
Interpreter Employment Policy
Auslan Alliance only employs NAATI* accredited Auslan interpreters. Where interpreters are required to undergo revalidation, Auslan Alliance only employs interpreters who have successfully revalidated.
All Auslan Alliance interpreters are required to supply proof of accreditation and revalidation.
*NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
Auslan Alliance only employs NAATI* accredited Auslan interpreters. Where interpreters are required to undergo revalidation, Auslan Alliance only employs interpreters who have successfully revalidated.
All Auslan Alliance interpreters are required to supply proof of accreditation and revalidation.
*NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
15
Feedback
Auslan Alliance values quality assurance and feedback.
Quality assurance is undertaken monthly. Clients will be chosen randomly. It is optional for clients whether they provide responses.
Auslan Alliance appreciates feedback from clients informally, be it positive or constructive. Feedback can be provided by email, SMS or Skype by appointment
Auslan Alliance values quality assurance and feedback.
Quality assurance is undertaken monthly. Clients will be chosen randomly. It is optional for clients whether they provide responses.
Auslan Alliance appreciates feedback from clients informally, be it positive or constructive. Feedback can be provided by email, SMS or Skype by appointment