A NSW Government website
Multicultural Health Communication Service

Translation service

The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS) is a state-wide health service hosted by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD). MHCS provides high-quality, culturally appropriate and accurate translations to support communication with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across NSW.

We work with NAATI certified health translators, bilingual communicators and subject-matter experts to ensure your information is clear, accessible and culturally safe.


Why choose MHCS?

Health translation specialists

As part of NSW Health, we have extensive experience and expertise in health literacy, health terminology and CALD community engagement.

Culturally safe and accurate

Every translation is reviewed for cultural appropriateness, clarity and linguistic accuracy. Where needed, we also undertake community focus-group testing to ensure messages are well understood.

End-to-end support

We provide translation, editing, design, typesetting, video subtitling, voice-over and multilingual digital content production.

Trusted across NSW

Local Health Districts, Pillars, public health teams and community partners rely on MHCS to deliver clear and reliable health information.

What we translate?

We support a wide range of health-related materials, including:

  • Patient information
  • Health fact sheets
  • Appointment reminders
  • Public health campaigns
  • Posters, brochures and flyers
  • Website and digital content
  • Videos (subtitles and voice-over)
  • Social media and newsletter content
How our translation process works?

We follow a structured and transparent process to ensure high-quality results:

  • Submit your request
    Provide your content, required languages, preferred format and any design assets.
  • Assessment and advice
    We review your request and advise on target audiences, languages, timelines and distribution considerations.
  • Translation and review
    A professional translator completes the translation, second professional translator proofreads the translation and then the MHCS translation team perform a quality assurance check.
  • Community checking/consultation (optional)

If required, community checking is available after the translation is completed, to confirm the translation culturally appropriate and easily understood by the community.

  • Design, formatting or production
    If required, we typeset, format or produce the translated materials for print, web or multimedia.
  • Delivery
    Final files are provided in your preferred format, ready for use, publication or distribution.
Who can request translations?

MHCS provides translation services to:

  • NSW Health staff and Local Health Districts
  • NSW government agencies providing health related information
  • UniversitiesCommunity partners and NGOs working with CALD communities
How to request a translation?

Submit your documents through the Translation Request Form or contact us to discuss your project.

Guidelines and Tools for Quality Translation in Health

Contact us

If you have any questions about our translation service or need advice, please contact:
SESLHD-MHCS-Translations@health.nsw.gov.au 

Customer satisfaction survey


Our commitment

MHCS is committed to improving health equity by ensuring all CALD communities in NSW have access to accurate, accessible and culturally respectful health information. We work collaboratively to support clear communication and better health outcomes for everyone.