Brief
Credentialed community language test is a test that enables intending economic migrants to score an additional 5 points in the points test if they prove that they can be a paraprofessional interpreter from English into their own language. The test is administered by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters). At present, testing in Ukrainian is not provided, which seriously disadvantages the migrants from Ukraine, because they are deprived of the right other ethnics groups would have – to show knowledge of basic interpreting skills in their own language and, as a result, be more competitive in the migration pool and have a greater likely hood to be invited to apply for a visa. For instance, Russians would be offered testing in Russian, Chinese in Mandarin, Indians in Hindi, but Ukrainians’ native language is Ukrainian, and there is no test option for them. I our opinion, they are severely disadvantaged in the migration process. In our opinion, this practice is discriminative and unacceptable.
Timeline
Inquiry to NAATI
When we found that NAATI had some major changes in its certification, accreditation and testing practices, we contacted them and expressed our interest to make every possible effort to assist NAATI with the development and implementation of a roadmap to deliver testing in the Ukrainian language.
National Operations Manager
We were approached by the National Operations Manager, who outlined the problems that may arise with the testing conducted in Ukrainian, but also offered his help to the Ukrainian members of our community should they wish to progress with the issue
Ukrainian Translators
We are currently communicating with the translators in the Ukrainian community who have or used to have NAATI certification to check their availability and their wish to possibly become examiners and take part in the preparation of test materials. Some have already agreed and we expect to continue working closely with NAATI once the team working on the project on our side is finalized.