The Murray PHN region is home to a growing and diverse multicultural population. This includes skilled migrants, humanitarian entrants, and long-established migrant communities. Around 88,000 residents were born overseas and more than 55,000 speak a language other than English at home.
Languages commonly spoken in the Murray region include Punjabi, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Malayalam, Greek, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and among emerging refugee communities; Nepali, Karen, Hazaragi, Dinka and Swahili.
Migrants and refugees bring valuable skills, resilience and diversity that strengthen our region. However, language barriers, health literacy, and unfamiliarity with Australia’s health system can impact health outcomes and access to care.
Using a qualified interpreter in healthcare is critical for:
Clear and respectful communication
Avoiding medical errors
Supporting informed consent
Meeting ethical and clinical standards
Reducing legal for providers
Avoid using family, friends, or apps (e.g. Google Translate) for clinical conversations. These may be suitable for non-clinical communication only (e.g. appointment reminders).
Note: Consent for examination or treatment may be legally invalid if a required interpreter is not used.
Best practices
Identify the need early: Assess language proficiency and arrange an interpreter if required
Use qualified interpreters for all medical discussions
Record the patient’s language preferences, including gender preferences
Allow extra time for appointments involving interpreters
Interpreter time may be claimable under time-tiered MBS items. See MBS Online.
TIS National
Eligible primary healthcare providers in the Murray region may access free interpreting services – immediate and pre-booked phone interpreting and on-site and remote video interpreting – through TIS National:
Contact TIS National by calling 131 450. GPs and pharmacies can access a priority line by calling 1300 131 450. Or to learn more visit the TIS National website
Free translation of overseas immunisation records through TIS National for eligible visa holders (excludes subclass 500 student visas). Click here to apply.
Murray PHN commissions Health System Navigator services in Bendigo, Robinvale, and Shepparton to support people unfamiliar with the health system to access and navigate the services they need. Bilingual Health System Navigators offer:
non-clinical, culturally appropriate support
health education and system navigation
referrals and service connection.
Information flyers for services, for community members and translated into languages are coming soon.
Care Finder program
Care Finder is a free service helping older people to access aged care and community services. Visit the Care Finder webpage to learn more (translated flyers coming soon).
Refugee health nurses
Refugee health nurses and bicultural health workers are available at the following locations:
A two hour and 15 minute self-paced course from the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health to support health providers to work effectively across cultures and confidently use interpreters.
Free for a limited time for Murray PHN primary health practitioners.
Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).
We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.
We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Leadership 
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