Concierge Tejas estimates he speaks with customers in Hindi or Gujarati at least 25–30 times a week.
11 July 2024
Many frontline service staff at Access Canberra speak multiple languages.
This not only reflects the diversity of the Canberra community but allows them to assist customers who may not be comfortable communicating in English.
Across Access Canberra’s five service centres, staff speak 12 languages, in addition to English.
These are:
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- French
- Japanese
- Vietnamese
- French
- Thai
- Greek
- Gujarati
- Croatian
- Tibetan
- Indian.
Staff wear badges, allowing customers to identify them easily to see which languages they speak.
Woden Service Centre Concierge Tejas is often the first friendly face customers see when they enter the Centre and speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English.
“Being a Concierge I think I speak in Hindi and Gujarati at least 25–30 times a week to help members of community,” he said.
He finds the badge helps Canberrans with little English feel more at ease.
“Wearing the badge gives members of the community an idea that I speak different languages. It invites members of the community who may be anxious of walking into a service centre because they can’t correctly interpret or understand English. I have also seen people who can understand English very well, but speaking it is the problem. Thus, whenever I can, I assist the Customer Service Officer and customer complete a transaction by translating for both,” Tejas said.
“As soon as a customer finds out that I can speak their language, they are delighted and relaxed that they can communicate in a much clearer and better way. Customers are more at ease because I can translate government policies and legislation for them, making comprehending them easier.”
Tejas has worked at Access Canberra since 2021.
"My vision every day is to help members of community who visit the service centre in every possible way,” he said.
“I am proud of wearing this badge because I know I can make a difference and put a smile on someone’s face.”
Many Access Canberra transactions can be carried out online. Visit accesscanberra.act.gov.au to find a translation option on the homepage.
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