Victorian Public Service (VPS) language allowance
The VPS language allowance provides a salary allowance to bilingual VPS staff who use a language other than English in their day-to-day work with the Victorian public. The allowance has been in operation since 1996.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Language Allowance, staff must work in roles where language other than English skills is used on a regular, frequent basis. Staff who are employed as teachers, interpreters or translators, or who are in jobs where language other than English skills are an integral part of the job profile, are not eligible for this allowance.
Under the allowance, bilingual staff who fit the above criteria can sit the accreditation tests run by the
The allowance is paid at the following rates per annum for each level of National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters accreditation:
- language aide: $800
- paraprofessional interpreter: $1100
- professional interpreter: $1500
Language aide
For people who use language skills to engage in simple language other than English communication with clients.
Paraprofessional interpreter
For people who engage in general conversation in both languages, where technical or specialist terminology is usually not required.
Professional Interpreter
For people who engage in technical or specialist bilingual conversations with clients and with other professional people.
Find out more
Information about accreditation levels, National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters testing, and other aspects of the Language Allowance is available from human resource areas of government departments and agencies or you can contact us.
For more information read the Language Allowance Guidelines 2007-08 (Word 109 kb)
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