The Western Australian Language Services Policy 2008 aims to ensure that language is not a barrier to services and programs for people who require assistance in English. Amongst Western Australians who require assistance with communicating effectively are Indigenous people, migrants and those who are deaf or hearing impaired.

The Policy includes underlying principles, minimum standards, a broader definition of “interpreters and translators” to increase the number of people who can provide these services, and implementation guidelines as to how to assess the need for an interpreter or translator and use their services.

The Policy was revised following a Needs Analysis of Interpreting and Translating Services within the Western Australian Government Sector and a formal review of the 2000 Language Services Policy.  It incorporates findings of the WA Equal Opportunity Commission Scoping Paper on Indigenous Interpreting Services