Private allied health and other primary health professionals in our region can now access free interpreter services to ensure patients from non-English backgrounds receive information in a language they understand.

The Murray PHN region is home to more than 55,000 individuals who speak a language other than English at home, equating to almost eight per cent of the population. This includes people from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, both patients and health practitioners.

While many migrants attain high proficiency in English, others face challenges in understanding healthcare information that is not in their native language, which can put their healthcare outcomes at risk, highlighting the importance of offering accessible language services to support communication.

To enhance healthcare access for CALD patients, Murray PHN is providing the Interpreting for Allied Health and Primary Care Pilot Program until 30 June 2025. The program will support local private allied health services, urgent care clinics, and other primary care practitioners who are not eligible for other government-funded interpreting programs to access free interpreting services through the Translating and Interpreting Service, TIS National.

Registered practitioners can access the following interpreting services at no cost to them:

  • Immediate and pre-booked telephone interpreting
  • Automated telephone interpreting
  • On-site interpreting
  • Video remote interpreting.

    Eligible healthcare professionals include:

    • Audiologists
    • Dentists
    • Dental hygienists
    • Diabetes educators
    • Dietitians
    • Exercise physiologists
    • Mental health nurses
    • Occupational therapists
    • Optometrists
    • Physiotherapists
    • Podiatrists
    • Psychologists
    • Social workers
    • Speech pathologists.

    Note: that urgent care clinic staff in the Murray PHN region are also eligible. If your profession is not listed or if you are unsure about your eligibility, contact Murray PHN to discuss.

    To register your interest in the program, click here to complete the online form.

    For more information