Interpreting services
What do interpreters (or translators) do?
An interpreter will translate what you say to your doctor or health professional and help you understand what they are saying to you. We use accredited interpreters, who will make sure the full meaning of what you’re saying is understood.
How do I find an interpreter?
You can:
- Ask your hospital or service to arrange an interpreter.
- Call TACLINK on 1300 139 075, our multilingual phone service, for information in your own language.
Will the TAC pay for my interpreter?
If English is not your first language, we will pay for NAATI accredited interpreter services to help you organise the medical, rehabilitation or disability treatment you need.
How much will the TAC pay?
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your interpreter service charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference.
For a list of TAC rates, see: Interpreter services payment rates.
Effective 1 July 2024
Interpreting services can be invoiced online via HICAPS Digital Claims for next business day payments.
2024/25 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $150.09 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $75.18 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $148.61 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $51.75 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $55.94 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $27.39 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2023/24 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $144.58 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $72.42 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $143.16 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $49.85 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $53.89 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $26.38 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2024/25 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $150.09 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $75.18 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $148.61 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $51.75 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $55.94 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $27.39 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2023/24 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $144.58 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $72.42 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $143.16 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $49.85 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $53.89 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $26.38 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you with your injuries we will pay for interpreting services provided by an accredited interpreter within Australia.
What do interpreters do?
An interpreter will translate what you say to your doctor or health professional. They are able to explain the full meaning of what you say from one language to another language. We use interpreters/translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). They have a diploma or higher qualification in a NAATI approved course.
TAC approved service
Interpreting services are a TAC approved service, you don’t need to contact us to ask for our approval before you access the interpreting services you need.
We offer a multilingual phone service called TACLINK, provided by the Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service. Call the number for your language to hear recorded information about our services in that language.
How these services are paid for
We pay for these services:
- Directly to your interpreting service, when you have given them your TAC claim number, or
- If you have to pay, use myTAC to send a copy of your receipt to us and we will repay you.
We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
How much we will pay
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your interpreter service charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference.
For a list of TAC rates, see:
What is not covered
We can’t pay for services that:
- Are not for your transport accident injuries.
- Are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate.
- Are not clinically justified, safe and effective.
We will not pay for an interpreter for an appointment with your solicitor unless it is necessary for you to provide information to comply with the requirements of impairment, dispute or common law protocol agreements.
Useful links
The Victorian government’s Health Translations site offers health information in multiple languages.
For providers
If you are a provider of interpreter services, please refer to our TAC Provider Guidelines.
What do interpreters (or translators) do?
An interpreter will translate what you say to your doctor or health professional and help you understand what they are saying to you. We use accredited interpreters, who will make sure the full meaning of what you’re saying is understood.
How do I find an interpreter?
You can:
- Ask your hospital or service to arrange an interpreter.
- Call TACLINK on 1300 139 075, our multilingual phone service, for information in your own language.
Will the TAC pay for my interpreter?
If English is not your first language, we will pay for NAATI accredited interpreter services to help you organise the medical, rehabilitation or disability treatment you need.
How much will the TAC pay?
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your interpreter service charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference.
For a list of TAC rates, see: Interpreter services payment rates.
Effective 1 July 2024
Interpreting services can be invoiced online via HICAPS Digital Claims for next business day payments.
2024/25 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $150.09 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $75.18 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $148.61 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $51.75 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $55.94 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $27.39 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2023/24 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $144.58 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $72.42 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $143.16 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $49.85 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $53.89 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $26.38 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2024/25 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $150.09 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $75.18 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $150.09 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $51.75 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $148.61 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $51.75 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $55.94 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $27.39 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
2023/24 rates
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | Maximum Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0010* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Independent Medico Legal Examination held in Medical Practitioner's Rooms (per additional hour) | EX0011* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (up to 2 hours) | EX0015* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Impairment Examination held in Medical Practitioner's rooms (per additional hour) | EX0016* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (up to 2 hours) | EX0020* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Medical Examination held at TAC (per additional hour) | EX0021* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Non attendance; Where an interpreter presents at a medical examination but the claimant fails to attend, the full service fee can be charged. | EX0025* | $144.58 |
| Cancellation of Interpreter assignment - A payment will only be made where an appointment for an interpreter is cancelled by the TAC on the same day of the scheduled assignment. | EX0026* | $72.42 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (up to 2 hours). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0030* | $144.58 |
| Interpreting - Client Treatment (per additional hour). This relates to an interpreter attending an assignment for the purposes of the client seeking treatment. | EX0031* | $49.85 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (up to 2 hours) | EX0032* | $143.16 |
| Interpreting - Miscellaneous (per additional hour) | EX0033* | $49.85 |
| Translating (per 100 written words) | EX0035* | $53.89 |
| Telephone Interpreting between the hours 8 AM and 6 PM (per 15 mins) | EX0032* | $26.38 |
| Use the Miscellaneous item number for all Telephone Interpreting Services |
Fees for interpreting services performed within a public hospital outpatient setting will be based
on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you with your injuries we will pay for interpreting services provided by an accredited interpreter within Australia.
What do interpreters do?
An interpreter will translate what you say to your doctor or health professional. They are able to explain the full meaning of what you say from one language to another language. We use interpreters/translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). They have a diploma or higher qualification in a NAATI approved course.
TAC approved service
Interpreting services are a TAC approved service, you don’t need to contact us to ask for our approval before you access the interpreting services you need.
We offer a multilingual phone service called TACLINK, provided by the Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service. Call the number for your language to hear recorded information about our services in that language.
How these services are paid for
We pay for these services:
- Directly to your interpreting service, when you have given them your TAC claim number, or
- If you have to pay, use myTAC to send a copy of your receipt to us and we will repay you.
We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
How much we will pay
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your interpreter service charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference.
For a list of TAC rates, see:
What is not covered
We can’t pay for services that:
- Are not for your transport accident injuries.
- Are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate.
- Are not clinically justified, safe and effective.
We will not pay for an interpreter for an appointment with your solicitor unless it is necessary for you to provide information to comply with the requirements of impairment, dispute or common law protocol agreements.
Useful links
The Victorian government’s Health Translations site offers health information in multiple languages.
For providers
If you are a provider of interpreter services, please refer to our TAC Provider Guidelines.
