Following on from yesterday’s bulletin on the wider Multicultural NSW JCC, the PSA also met in May for Language Services matters.  Please find a report back below on this meeting.

Senior practitioner project

The PSA requested an update from MNSW on the Senior Practitioner project.

MNSW advised the project has been successful and MNSW is considering offering more term-based employment rather than casual employment for translator and interpreters in relation to languages in demand such as Mandarin and Arabic. These extra roles will be subject to comparative assessment not just EOI and are envisaged for the new financial year.

New offers of casual appointment for upcoming financial year

MNSW advised that there will be two mandatory modules – one on cyber security and one on code of conduct. This should take ninety minutes to complete and will be paid.

Accreditation

Under the Crown Employees (Interpreters and Translators, Multicultural NSW) Award, MNSW may consider a commencement rate above the Year 1 rate depending on the individual’s qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience. Such consideration is dependent on accreditation by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NATTI). However, delegates have identified that there is no consistency or standardised processes to assess practitioners’ levels through NATTI. MNSW agreed to look into this an come back to the PSA.

Extended leave

The PSA advised MNSW that casual employees have an entitlement to extended leave (long service leave) under the Government Sector Employment Act (NSW) 2013. The PSA requested an audit from MNSW to determine whether some long-term interpreters and translators would be eligible for extended leave. MNSW will look into this with a view to putting out information to clarify any questions members have about being entitled to extended leave.