NAATI Credentialed Community Language Test

If you pass the NAATI CCL test you will be awarded 5 points which you can use towards points test for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), or Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)

NAATI sets and maintains high national standards for the translating and interpreting sector, and it is the only organisation to issue credentials or certification to people who wish to work in this profession. NAATI is a public, not-for-profit company that is jointly owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, and its state and territory governments.

NAATI’s Certification System has been designed to evaluate if a candidate demonstrates the skills needed to practice as a translator or interpreter in Australia. Certification gives assurance to people who engage interpreters or translators, that English and non-English speakers can interact effectively with each other.

NAATI Certified Translator

A NAATI Certified Translator transfers a written message from one language into a written message in another language, for the purpose of communication between a writer and reader who do not share the same language. NAATI’s Certified Translator test is an objective assessment of the skills and competencies needed to practice as a translator in Australia.

NAATI Certified Interpreter

A NAATI Certified Interpreter transfers complex, non specialised messages from a source language into a target language that accurately reflects the meaning. NAATI’s Certified Interpreter Test is an objective assessment of the skills and competencies needed to practice as an interpreter in Australia.

Credentialed Community Language (CCL) Test

The Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test is generally taken by the applicants who are looking to lodge a point-based general skilled migration visa application. On successfully passing the test, applicants are awarded five points towards the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491). These points are also referred to as Credentialed Community Language points. This test is not a professional certification.

NAATI CCL Test

NAATI Test Format

NAATI CCL tests are delivered online, Monday to Friday. The test consists of two dialogue recordings. Each dialogue represents a conversation between a native English Speaker and a native Language Other Than English (LOTE) speaker. Each dialogue is approximately 300 words, with about half in English and half in the LOTE. The dialogues are divided into segments of 35 words or less.

Topics Covered in NAATI Test

The dialogues used in the test will reflect real life situations in Australian society. They are designed to examine a candidate’s ability to understand both languages and communicate in them. The topics may include: Business, Consumer affairs, Employment, Health, Immigration/settlement, Legal, Community, Education, Financial, Housing, Insurance, Social services

NAATI Test Assessment

A minimum of two examiners will assess your ability to communicate effectively in English and a Language other than english (LOTE). The following two factors will contribute to your assessment:

• Language Quality – competency in both English and LOTE
• Language Register – the level of formality with which a candidate transfers the meaning

Examiners consider the types of errors in your performance and how these impact on your overall communication, and will deduct marks for errors. Errors for which the examiners deduct a candidate’s score are:

• Accuracy (correctness of information)
• Distortions (misrepresentation of information)
• Omissions (removal of information)
• Insertions (addition of information)

Each examiner awards your results individually. In situations where the examiners disagree about the performance of a candidate, additional examiners will assess your test to help determine your final result.

NAATI Test Results

The test comprises of two dialogues; with each dialogue worth 45 marks. In order to pass the test, you will require at least 29 marks in each dialogue and an overall score of 63 out of 90. The result for the CCL test will be given as:

• Pass: 63 or higher (marks out of 90)
• Marginal Fail: between 58 and 62.5 (marks out of 90)
• Clear Fail: less than 58 (marks out of 90)

In situations where a candidate achieves 23 out of 45 in Dialogue 1, 41 out of 45 in Dialogue 2 and an Overall Score of 64 out of 90, the result given will be 'Clear Fail' as the candidate has not achieved required score in Dialogue 1. You will receive your results via email within 4-6 weeks of the CCL Test. Clear Fail results are unable to apply for a review of their test due to the statistical improbability of the result being overturned.

NAATI Test Results Validity

Results issued before 9 August 2022 are valid for three years. NAATI is not able to amend the expiry date of a credential that has already been issued. All new CCL credentials issued from 9 August 2022 have a five-year validity period.

NAATI Test Registration

To apply for NAATI CCL test, you will need to register at NAATI customer portal myNAATI, and lodge your application via your myNAATI account. Once NAATI has processed your application, which can take up to seven business days, you will receive an email stating the outcome. If successful you’ll be able to make payment and select a test date.

NAATI Account Login

If you already have an account with NAATI, you can can login here.

NAATI CCL Test Practice Material

You should prepare for Credentialed Community Language test. The practice materials will give you a good indication of how the CCL test will be. To use these materials effectively you will need to record your responses. You should use the practice materials as follows:

• Prepare by setting up playback and recording devices in a quiet room. You will need a device to play the practice materials on and a recording device to record both the test as well as your responses.
• Prepare the recording device so that it is ready to record. It would be worthwhile having a test run to ensure that both the playback of the practice materials and your responses are audible.
• Start the recorder. Then start the player with the recorded sample test materials. You should: Pause the sample test player after you hear a chime; and Interpret each of the segments (a chime will indicate the end of a segment) into the other language; and Restart the sample test player once you have finished interpretation; and Continue the test, pausing the sample test player and providing the appropriate response each time you hear another chime.
• To review how you went, you can rewind the recorded materials and listen to your answers or interpretation. Use the typed script of the test to follow your answers and interpretation.

NAATI CCL Test Day Preparation

General Information

NAATI CCL tests are delivered online via Proctor Exam. Candidates who have booked test session will receive an email approximately one week prior to the test day, with instructions to check their equipment and access to the online platform. It is important you ensure you have received this e-mail from Proctor Exam (check your inbox as well as spam/junk folder) and have completed the system check 48 hours prior to the test. All test times are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). You should adhere to the following rules when taking the test:

• Candidates must have a suitable device for the test delivery - a computer or laptop that has a camera and microphone. Tablets and phones are not supported. Your phone will be used as a second camera to record your environment and must be located behind or beside you.
• The test must be completed in a location that is free of distractions, background noise and other people. The test location will be checked at the start of the test.
• Devices (including mobile phones, laptops, tablets and other smart devices) other than the device being used to take the test must be turned off. Any candidates using a device to record or photograph test materials or communicate with a third party will have their test cancelled.
• In order to take the test, candidates will need to provide proof of their identity (i.e. the photo ID provided with your application - normally your driver’s licence or passport). This should be shown to the camera prior to the start of the test.
• If there is any doubt as to the identity of the test taker, the test results will not be issued.
• The video of the test will be recorded and reviewed prior to the test performance being assessed. Any non-compliance to NAATI’s test policy may result in the test being invalidated.
• All candidates will be required to be online and logged in to the session at the time advised. If you are late, you will not be tested.

Please Note: You will have a total of 35 minutes to finish your test. It is expected a CCL test is completed in about 20 minutes. An additional 15 minutes will be added to allow you to read the instructions. If your test runs for longer than this time, NAATI reserves the right to cease the test. The assessment will be made on the performance to that point.

Equipment for NAATI CCL Test

In order to access the NAATI CCL test, you will need to have a suitable device and a stable internet connection. Please note that if you are using a public WiFi network, there is the possibility that access to the test will be restricted. It is the responsibility of a candidate to ensure the minimum internet speed requirement is available on the testing day, as well as reliable equipment (laptop, phone and headphones). Should the test not being able to proceed due to a faulty device or a slow internet connection, it will be cancelled.

You must have one laptop or computer to complete your test with the following:

• Functioning microphone and webcam.
• A decent internet connection.
• We recommend a minimum of 1.5Mbit/s upload, 10Mbit/s download, ping under 25ms.
• The test platform requires the use of Google products, as such you will need the ability to access and use these without any interference. The test will not be able to be taken if this is not possible.
• The latest version of Google Chrome web browser installed.
• You can use Proctor Exam on Windows 8 or higher, Mac OS X or higher, ChromeOS and most Linux distributions (64-bit Ubuntu 14.04+, Debian 8+,  openSUSE 13.3+, or Fedora Linux 24+).
• You are required to use a headset during your test. This can be standard mobile phone earphones or a dedicated video conference style headset. Please synchronise your headset to your device before the test. Separate and built-in speakers are not allowed due to audio issues. You will need to use the same headset for the system check and the test. We do not recommend the use of Bluetooth or wireless headsets due to the potential for connectivity issues during testing.
• Your phone will be used as a second camera to record your environment. You will need to download the Proctor Exam application which is compatible with any Android 4.1 or higher and iOS (Apple) 10.0 or higher. Huawei P30, Google Pixel, Sony Xperia, Iphone 6 and OnePlus are not compatible  

You should ensure your equipment is functioning properly and charged before the test. Due to the variances in equipment candidates use, only limited technical support will be available during the test.

NAATI CCL Test Booking

You can book your NAATI CCL Test online through myNAATI Account.

NAATI CCL Test Location Centres

NAATI is a national organisation with offices in six states and territories of Australia. These offices support testing of candidates and local engagement. If you visit NAATI offices in person, NAATI staff may not be able to assist with your query and may direct you to email or call instead.

NAATI Canberra

16/2 King Street, Deakin ACT 2600
PO Box 223 Deakin West ACT 2600

Office hours: 9am-4:30pm Monday to Friday

NAATI Melbourne

Level 10, 179 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
infovic@naati.com.au

Office hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday

NAATI Perth

Level 1, 49 Oxford Close, West Leederville WA 6007
infowa@naati.com.au

Office hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday

NAATI Adelaide

Level 8, 170 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
infosa@naati.com.au

This centre is closed to the public.

NAATI Darwin

NAATI currently manages NT testing and other operations from its National Office. For NT enquiries please email info@naati.com.au.

NAATI Brisbane

Queensland Multicultural Centre,
Room 10, Level 2, 102 Main Street, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169
infoqld@naati.com.au

Office hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday

NAATI Sydney

Suite 3, Level 5, 280-282 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
infonsw@naati.com.au

Office hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday

NAATI Hobart

NAATI currently manages Tasmanian testing and other operations from its Victoria Office. For Tasmania enquiries please email infovic@naati.com.au.

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Disclaimer: ‘Atlantis International Pty Ltd’ and its associates are independent consulting entities which are not associated in anyway with the Australian ‘Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA). Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.