There are four translation consultants working for the Translation and Text Division. They are based in Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin and Suva (Fiji). Each is responsible for providing biblical and translation advice and resources to translation teams in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. They also ensure that translations published by Bible societies accord with the standards prescribed by the United Bible societies, or local Bible societies.

From time to time the consultants travel to their translation teams to help them with their translation work and monitor their progress. Later, the translations are translated back into English so the consultant can check for accuracy and consistency.

The Work of the Translation Teams

Some members of the translation teams are native speakers living or working in the particular language communities. Some are leaders in their own churches; some work as teachers; and others have various other roles in their local communities. While the translators work very hard to translate the Bible, they also have responsibilities in their own communities, so a complete Bible translation can take many years.

The translation teams are also sometimes very isolated. As a result, often they may not have access to a regular mail service or computers and email. Teams therefore rely on their contact with the consultants to convey material back and forth from the editors.