Delivery mode
Online
Test fee
$242
Prerequisites
Yes
Languages
n/a
Overview
Ethical competency is knowing and understanding the relevant Code of Ethics required by translators and interpreters, and being able to apply this in your professional practice, client interactions and other professional activities.
Ethical competency is a prerequisite to gaining a NAATI credential. NAATI delivers Ethical Competency (and Intercultural Competency) tests to allow candidates to demonstrate this knowledge and skills, or you may have already met this prerequisite through the training you have completed.
You do not need to apply separately to sit an Ethical Competency test. You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Do I need to sit an Ethical Competency test?
If you have completed an Endorsed Qualification or relevant Skill Set Course within the last three years, you have already satisfied this prerequisite.
If you have completed other relevant training at a Higher Education (HE) or Vocational Education and Training (VET) institution within the last three years, NAATI may exempt you from having to sit this test. You will need to attach evidence of completing this training with your application form for NAATI to make an assessment.
If you need to sit an Ethical Competency test, NAATI will make you eligible to sit the test at the same time as you can select a certification test date. You will need to pass the Ethical Competency test before you can receive your certification or Recognised Practising credential.
Information for applicants
Before sitting the Ethical Competency test with NAATI, you need to meet certain prerequisites and equipment & system requirements.
Be familiar with the relevant industry Code of Ethics
Codes of Ethics set out the general principles that govern the work of translators and interpreters.
All practitioners who hold a NAATI certification must abide by the relevant code. It is a condition of the certification they are issued.
- AUSIT (Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators) Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct (2012): All Australian and New Zealand-based translators and interpreters working in spoken languages.
- Note that AUSIT and NZSTI share a code of ethics. You can read the NZSTI Code of Ethics here.
- ASLIA (Australian Sign Language Interpreters’ Association) Code of Ethics & Guidelines for Professional Conduct (2007): All Auslan translators and interpreters.
- SLIANZ (Sign Language Interpreters of New Zealand) Code of Ethics & Conduct (2012): All New Zealand-based interpreters working in NZSL.
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
Equipment & system requirements
| Laptop or computer with the following: |
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| Internet connection: |
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About the test
There are four different Ethical Competency tests. On test day, you will choose to complete one of these tests. You should choose the test most relevant to the credential you have applied for.
- Interpreters: Ethics Test Questions for Interpreters AUSIT (note that AUSIT and NZSTI share a code of ethics, so NZ-based spoken language interpreters should also complete this test)
- Translators: Ethics Test Questions for Translators AUSIT (note that AUSIT and NZSTI share a code of ethics, so NZ-based translators should also complete this test)
- Sign Language Interpreters (Australia): Ethics Test Questions for Interpreters ASLIA
- Sign Language Interpreters (New Zealand): Ethics Test Questions for Interpreters SLIANZ
You only need to complete one test, even if you have applied for multiple credentials.
The Ethical Competency test is conducted online and consists of 45 questions. All questions are in English.
- 10 Matching statements questions: each question asks you to match statements from the relevant code of ethics to individual principles.
- 20 Multiple choice questions: each question relates to the application of one ethical principle.
- 15 Multiple choice questions: scenario-type questions depicting an ethical dilemma – you must choose the best course of action based on the relevant ethical principle out of the options available.
Test assessment & results
Assessment
The Ethical Competency test will assess:
- Your knowledge of the relevant code of ethics
- Your ability to identify ethical issues in a broad range of interpreting and/or translation scenarios; and
- Your ability to apply the relevant principle/value of the code to each scenario.
Each correctly answered question is worth:
- Questions 1-30: 1 point
- Questions 31-45: 2 points (partially correct answers count for 1 point)
- Incorrect answers and unanswered questions receive 0 points.
To pass the test you must score 80% overall, or 48 points out of a maximum of 60 points.
Results
At the end of each test session, all test attempts will be reviewed as part of NAATI’s quality assurance process, and you will be notified of your result via email within 5 business days of your test.
Re-sitting the test
- Paid reviews of test results and supplementary tests are not available for Ethical Competency tests.
- You will be offered a re-sit of the whole test if you fail the test. You will need to pay the test fee again for each additional test.
- You may have a maximum of two test re-sits. After the third failed attempt, your credential application will be deemed unsuccessful.
How to apply
You do not need to apply separately to sit an Ethical Competency test. You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Test fee summary
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Ethical Competency test fee $242 AUD
Each direction
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Cancellation See below
Rescheduling or cancelling your test
- There is no cost to reschedule.
- Candidates are able to reschedule their own tests up to (and including) 3 days prior to your test.
- To reschedule a test date within 3 days of your test date, candidates are required to contact info@naati.com.au
It is not possible to reschedule a test within 2 days of the test session unless the candidate provides evidence of hospital admission, serious injury or an accident. This is because we “lock in” the test sessions to enable planning and preparation.
If you have been admitted to hospital, or suffered a serious injury or accident, you must provide evidence to info@naati.com.au by 8am (AET) on the test day at the very latest. The medical certificate or hospital admission must state the nature of the illness.
If you cancel your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test, your entire certification application will be closed.
If your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test is more than 2 days away
- You will be eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel a test more than 2 days before the test date.
- Follow the instructions on applying for a refund through your myNAATI account.
If your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test is within the next 2 days
- To cancel a test scheduled within the next 2 days, you must email us at info@naati.com.au with your customer number so that we can cancel your test for you. You cannot reject your own test session in myNAATI if your test is scheduled within the next 2 days.
- You will not receive a refund if you cancel a test within 2 days.
If you do not attend your test on your scheduled test date, this is considered a cancellation and no fees will be refunded.
Candidate instructions
All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. Note that you will need to make sure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites‘ tab).
The candidate information details the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.
Preparation module
NAATI has developed a test preparation module to help you get ready for your test and familiarise yourself with the format. The module is available through NAATI Learn and anyone can access it for free.
You will need to create an account and select the Ethical Competency Preparation Module from the dashboard when you are logged in.
These materials are © National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd 2023 and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of NAATI.
Support
If you need help before you have booked into a test, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.
On your test day, NAATI’s Digital Testing team will be available via live chat during your test to assist with any technical issues or you can get help by emailing onlinetesting@naati.com.au.
