In 2023, the Department of Home Affairs engaged Deloitte Access Economics to estimate the economic and social costs of sub-optimal interpreting services in Australia. This research found that sub-optimal interpreting was associated with an estimated annual economic and social cost ranging from $326 million to $892 million in 2023. 

Building on this work, this report has been prepared for the purpose of extending the 2023 analysis of the case for the Australian Government to address sub-optimal interpreting and the potential risks and costs of inaction. 

Despite the importance of the language services sector, the sector is reported as experiencing persistent issues relating to workforce sustainability, quality of service provision, recognition for the role of language services and the potential inefficient allocation of existing resources.

Key findings

• Inadequate pay and lack of career opportunities (relative to other occupations) are key factors driving a decline in workforce supply.
• Since 2021, there is evidence of an accelerated decline in the workforce.
• A decline in the number and quality of language professionals, combined with rising demand for language services, would result in an annual economic and social cost of up to $2 billion for Australia by 2035.
• Improved pay and conditions could help reverse the decline in workforce supply.
• To achieve improved pay and conditions, a range of procurement and non-procurement levers beyond the national award is likely to be required.