Welcome to Interpretation Australia

Interpretation Australia Association is a not-for-profit national membership-based organisation dedicated to the advancement of the profession of cultural and natural heritage interpretation.

Interpretation communicates ideas, information and knowledge in a way which helps visitors to make sense of their environment. Good interpretation will create engaging, unique and meaningful experiences for visitors and takes many forms including such things as guided walks, talks, drama, art, sculpture, displays, signs, brochures and electronic media.

IA was formed in 1992 to share issues and ideas, improve professional standards and raise the profile of heritage interpretation as a profession. It serves more than 400 members in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

Many IA members are employed by government agencies. Other members are consultants who work in interpretation development, visitor research, writing, graphic design, multi-media, drama and guiding. They provide services to agencies to develop and produce interpretive plans, interpretive media, and guiding programs.

IA offers useful resources for use by our members; provides a job and tender page where the members can advertise for interpretation professionals; and our supplier registry, which his accessible by non-members, provides a one stop directory for specialists across the range of sectors in which interpreters operate.

IA also provides a national event each year, which either takes the form of a conference where members present their own experience and research; or as a workshop and skill sharing exercise. Smaller, state based events are also offered during the year.