According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from June 2024, 31.5% of Australia’s population was born overseas, highlighting the importance of the Free Interpreting Services (FIS) for Allied Health Professionals Program in ensuring the delivery of vital healthcare information and services to every Australian.
Good communication is critical to ensuring positive outcomes for patients and allied health professionals during health appointments. When language barriers exist, achieving these positive outcomes becomes more complex.
For this reason, the Australian Government offers the Free Interpreting Services (FIS) for Allied Health Professionals Program to eligible privately practising allied health professionals, including chiropractors.
This service is currently available to practitioners delivering services meeting one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Delivered in a private practice located in an approved Local Government Area (LGA)
- Delivered by a suitably qualified professional in an eligible discipline (such as chiropractic)
- Provided to a patient or client who is eligible for a Medicare card
At present, 32 LGAs have been approved for the FIS. These are:
- ACT: Canberra
- NSW: Fairfield, Liverpool, Bankstown, Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, and Wollongong
- NT: Darwin
- QLD: Brisbane, Logan, Cairns, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, and Townsville
- SA: Adelaide and Mount Gambier
- TAS: Launceston and Hobart
- VIC: Casey, Greater Dandenong, Hume, Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Mildura, and Wodonga
- WA: Perth
For more on the FIS, and to book a service if you operate within an eligible area, visit: https://www.tisnational.gov.au.
Advocacy to support continued chiropractic access
The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) recently took part in a consultation on the FIS program, providing an indication of the uptake of this program within the profession and the value of chiropractic involvement in it.
Moreover, the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing has engaged Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) to evaluate the current use of FIS for allied health professionals.
As part of this evaluation, AHA sought input from a wide range of stakeholders, providing their views regarding the unique needs of CALD communities when using interpreting services in an allied health context.
From a chiropractic perspective, we are seeking to increase awareness in the profession regarding this service.
For more information about FIS, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/free-interpreting-services-fis-for-allied-health-professionals.