The NCCR’s Real-time Machine Shorthand Court Reporting and Captioning program celebrates its 22nd year. Paula Roberts, a former university lecturer, has directed the program since it began in 1987.

The NCCR’s unique, external study program is taught by working court reporters using an Australian Real-time Machine Shorthand Theory specially developed for the Australian context.

Machine shorthand is typed with a stenotype machine with only 22 keys.  Missing letters are represented by pressing a combination of keys. The reporter can produce shorthand well in excess of 250 words a minute.

Machine shorthand can be traced back to 1910 when Ward Stone Ireland developed a typing machine that would print several letters, even a whole word, at one stroke of the keyboard.

Include highly paid, (Employed or Freelance) Court or Parliamentary Reporting, TV Captioning, CART Reporting for the hearing-impaired, Convention or Business Reporting, Medical or Legal Transcribing.

Some people dream of a job that will take them around the world.  With a sense of adventure and with creativity and flexibility, reporters work internationally and enjoy glamorous and exciting life-styles.

Salaries ranged from $43,000 (magistrates clerks) to $104,000 (experienced reporters) in employment advertisements for Court and Hansard Reporters and Captioners around Australia in 2007.

Fees are $1750 per academic year and include textbooks and individual telephone tutoring, use of a NCCR loan machine and speed development tapes. Our website includes an enrolment form.