Course Overview

About This Course

In this program, you will be introduced to the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to commence work as ethical interpreters and/or translators in domestic or international settings. The areas of specialisation covered in the program are legal, medical, business, media, and community. The academic content of the program is complemented by professional practical experience where you will be able to directly apply what was learned in class in real-life dynamic professional settings. In addition to the knowledge and skills of interpreting and translation disciplines and professions, you will also learn related academic and practical skills such as critical analysis, independent preparation and practice, project management and teamwork – all of which are critical to the work of interpreters and translators. The program is staffed by leading researchers and practitioners in interpreting, translation, linguistics and language technology. The program is also endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and also prepares you to sit certification exams administered by NAATI for qualification as a Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, and Certified Translator. The program is offered in the following language combinations, subject to student demand: English and Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Turkish.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Canberra

Northcott Dr, Canberra, ACT 2600

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

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Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting typically pursue roles as professional interpreters and translators in various sectors, including legal, medical, business, media, and community services. They may work in domestic or international settings, applying their skills in diverse environments that require effective communication across languages. The program's focus on practical experience and related academic skills also prepares graduates for roles in project management and teamwork within the language services industry.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units17 units

Research and Theories of Translation and Interpreting

Core course required for all students in the program.

MODL5101

Interpreting in Legal Settings

Practical interpreting course focusing on legal settings.

Interpreting in Community Settings

Practical interpreting course focusing on community settings.

Conference Interpreting

Practical interpreting course focusing on conference environments.

Community of Practice for Interpreting

Practical interpreting course focused on professional community of practice.

Interpreting Certification Preparation

Practical interpreting course to prepare students for NAATI certification exams.

Advanced Conference Interpreting

Advanced practical interpreting course for conference settings.

Interpreting in International Settings

Practical interpreting course focusing on international settings.

Multimedia Translation

Practical translation course focusing on multimedia content.

Specialised Translation

Practical translation course focusing on specialised fields.

MODL5107

Translation Technology

Practical translation course focusing on translation technologies.

Translation Certification Preparation

Practical translation course to prepare students for NAATI certification exams.

Advanced Translation Technology and Industry Practice

Advanced practical course covering translation technology and industry practice.

Second Language Acquisition

Prescribed elective covering theories and practice of second language acquisition.

Language Technology

Prescribed elective covering language technology tools and applications.

Cross-cultural Pragmatics

Prescribed elective exploring communication across cultures.

Current Issues in Bilingualism

Prescribed elective examining contemporary issues in bilingualism.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program endorsed by NAATI, and what exams will I be prepared for?

Yes, the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Completing the program prepares you to sit the following NAATI certification exams: Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, and Certified Translator.

What language specialisations are available in this program?

The program offers 13 language specialisations. Depending on demand, you can build your specialisation in Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, or Turkish.

Can the Graduate Certificate be credited toward higher UNSW programs in this field?

Yes. Courses completed in the Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting can be credited toward the UNSW Graduate Diploma in Translation and Interpreting, which in turn can be credited toward the UNSW Master of Translation and Interpreting, allowing you to continue your studies with recognition of prior learning.

What technology and facilities will I have access to during my studies?

Students have access to the latest interpreting and translation technology and equipment, including training stations, simultaneous interpreting booths, a moot courtroom, translation memories, machine translation, audio-visual translation tools (subtitling and captioning), and corpus linguistics software.

What are the fees for this program and are Commonwealth Supported Places available?

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available for this program, with a 2026 indicative CSP fee of $2,500 to complete the degree. For students paying full fees, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $16,500, with a total indicative full fee to complete the degree of $16,500 for domestic students. International students face a 2026 indicative first year full fee of $25,000, with a full fee to complete the degree of approximately $25,500. All fees are subject to annual review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $52,000 to $68,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $68,000 to $82,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $82,000 to $100,000 per year

Career Paths

Community InterpreterCourt Interpreter (Legal Interpreter)Medical / Health InterpreterConference InterpreterCertified Translator

Key Skills

Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting techniquesWritten translation from source to target language with accuracy and fluencySight translation of documents across languagesSpecialised terminology management in legal, medical, and business contextsUse of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and translation memory software

Full Course Overview

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