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Intercultural Competency

Intercultural Competency

Intercultural Competency is the knowledge and skill required by interpreters and translators that allows them to identify culturally specific information in the source language, appropriately reflect these in the target language and deal with clients in a culturally appropriate manner.

Delivery mode

Online

Test fee

$242

Prerequisites

Yes

Languages

n/a

Overview

Intercultural Competency is the knowledge and skill required by interpreters and translators that allows them to identify culturally specific information in the source language, appropriately reflect these in the target language and deal with clients in a culturally appropriate manner.

Intercultural competency is a prerequisite to gaining a NAATI credential. NAATI delivers Intercultural Competency (and Ethical 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 Intercultural 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 Intercultural Competency test?

formal training

If you have completed an Endorsed Qualification or relevant Skill Set Course within the last three years, you have already satisfied this prerequisite.

Language prof

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.

IC EC

If you need to sit an Intercultural 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 Intercultural Competency test before you can receive your certification or Recognised Practising credential.

Information for applicants

Before sitting the Intercultural Competency test with NAATI, you need to meet the equipment & system requirements.

Equipment & system requirements

Please read the specifications carefully below.

Laptop or computer with the following:
  • Working camera and microphone.
  • A power cord/connector.
  • Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS 11 (Big Sur) or higher, ChromeOS and most Linux distributions (64-bit Ubuntu 14.04+, Debian 8+, openSUSE 13.3+, or Fedora Linux 24+).
  • Latest version of Google Chrome browser installed.
  • You will be prompted to download and install the ProctorExam Google Chrome extension during your system check.
  • Note: The test platform requires the use of Google products. Candidates must be able to access and use these without interference to sit the test. A work laptop or computer may block access to the test platform, restricting access to the platform.
Internet connection:
  • At least 25mbps download speed, 10mbps upload speed, and internet speed (ping) of below 25 milliseconds
  • You can check your internet speed on www.speedtest.net
  • Note: using a public WiFi network or computer with firewalls  (such as a work or laptop computer) that block access to the test platform may result in access to the test being restricted

 

It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is suitable and will function for the entire test. We recommend that your electronic devices be connected to a power source for the duration of your test. Note that small screens (such as laptop screens) may make it harder for you to see everything clearly.

About the test

The Intercultural Competency test is conducted online.

The test will consist of 9 questions, from which you will choose 6 to answer:

  • Three knowledge-based short answer questions; and
  • Three scenario-based short answer questions

All questions are in English.

Test assessment & results

NAATI examiners will assess your response to each question separately, using an assessment rubric with 4 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 4 the lowest). You can view the assessment rubric here.

Each question is assessed against specific criteria:  

Knowledge questions  

  • Criterion A: demonstrating knowledge about topic.  

Scenario questions  

  • Criterion A: identifying the intercultural issue/s present in the scenario, and  
  • Criterion B: demonstrating an understanding of these issues and their implications for interpreters and/or translators.  

To pass each question you must:  

  • Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A in the knowledge questions, and  
  • Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A and Band 3 for criterion B in the scenario questions.

To pass the test you must: 

  • Pass at least two of the three knowledge questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3; and   
  • Pass at least two of three scenario questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3 in both criteria.  

Note: Band 4 in any criterion will result in a fail for the test.

At the end of each test session, all tests submitted will be sent to examiners for marking. 

You should receive your results within 8 weeks of the test date.

  • Paid reviews of test results and supplementary tests are not available for Intercultural Competency tests.
  • You will be offered a supplementary test if you fail just one section of the test. You will be offered a resit of the whole test if you fail two sections of 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 Intercultural 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

  • Intercultural Competency test fee $242 AUD
  • Cancellation See below

Rescheduling or cancelling your test

Tests can be rescheduled up to (and including) 3 days prior to the start of your course.

  • There is no cost to reschedule.
  • Contact us via info@naati.com.au if you need to reschedule your test date.

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 Intercultural 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.

Practitioner details

credential result