Frequently Asked Questions
Find our answers to frequently asked questions below.
Are there services that offer help in developing campaigns/strategies to target culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW?
Yes. For more information contact us.
What are the key components of a culturally competent health service?
The following frameworks and plans may be of help:
NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: 2019-2023
Where can I find an Interpreter in NSW?
Professional health care interpreters are available in all NSW Health services, including hospitals and community health centres.
This is a free and confidential service. The health professional is responsible for organising the interpreter.
If you wish to contact a health service using an interpreter, you can call the National Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450
TIS is Australia's only national service is available to any person or organisation in Australia requiring interpreting services. TIS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is accessible from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.
Can I ask for an Interpreter in hospital?
Yes. It is NSW Health policy that patients and carers who do not speak English fluently should be informed about the Health Care Interpreter Service (HCIS) and be provided with a professional health care interpreter.
What health services are available for culturally diverse communities in NSW?
NSW Health Care Interpreter Services
Where can I get information on issues to do with immigration and visas?
Contact the Department of Home Affairs
Where can I get information about Medicare eligibility?
Visit the Department of Human Services website: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/
Where can I get information about government financial assistance and help
finding work?Visit the Department of Human Services website: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/
Where can I go to have resources translated?
Please contact our Translations service
Is there a guide to help me with translations? What makes a good translation?
The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has developed Best practice guide to assist with developing and checking translations.
Where can I find free translated information?
For translated health information browse our site.
Where can I find links to other websites containing translated information?
See our Publications on a wide variety of topics and languages.
Which Chinese language should I choose for my translations?
Mandarin and Cantonese are spoken languages while Simplified and Traditional Chinese are written languages.
Best practice is to translate into both written languages.
Mandarin is the official language of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC, also known as Taiwan), as well as one of four official languages of Singapore.
Cantonese is one of the official languages of Hong Kong (together with English) and of Macau (together with Portuguese) and also widely used by people from Southern China (mainly from Guangdong Province).
There are currently two systems for Chinese characters: Traditional Chinese character system and Simplified Chinese character system. The Simplified Chinese is used in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Chinese speaking communities (except Singapore and Malaysia) outside mainland China. The is used in Mainland China and Singapore and Malaysia.
Traditional Chinese characterSimplified Chinese character is used in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Chinese speaking communities (except Singapore and Malaysia) outside mainland China.
The Simplified Chinese character is used in Mainland China and Singapore and Malaysia.
Here are some examples:
| Country/Area | Spoken Language | Written Language |
| Mainland China | Mandarin or Cantonese | Simplified Chinese |
| Hong Kong and Macau | Cantonese | Traditional Chinese |
| Taiwan | Mandarin | Traditional Chinese |
| Singapore | Mandarin | Simplified Chinese |