If you are applying for an Australian visa and have documents that are not in English, you will generally need to provide English translations with your application.
For translations completed in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs says the translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), and you should submit both the original non-English document and its English translation.
The short answer: If you have a foreign-language birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver’s licence, identity document, police certificate, qualification or other supporting document for an Australian visa, you may need a NAATI-accredited English translation.
At Express Translator, you can upload your document, receive a quote and order your NAATI-certified translation online.
What Is a NAATI Certified Translation?
NAATI is Australia’s national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters. It establishes and maintains professional standards for the translating and interpreting industry in Australia.
A NAATI-certified translation is a translation produced by a translator holding an appropriate NAATI credential.
NAATI’s current certification system includes the Certified Translator credential, while Recognised Practising credentials are available in some languages where testing is not available.
For Australian visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs specifically refers to the translator’s NAATI practitioner number when a translation is completed in Australia.
What information should accompany a NAATI translation?
The exact requirements can depend on where the translation was completed and the type of application. When a translation is completed in Australia, Home Affairs requires the translator’s NAATI practitioner number.
Always check the document requirements for your particular visa before submitting your application.
Department of Home Affairs – Document translation requirements
Which Documents May Need NAATI Translation for an Australian Visa?
The Department of Home Affairs requires non-English documents to be translated into English. The documents required depend on the visa and your individual circumstances.
Common documents include:
1. Birth Certificates
A birth certificate may be required to establish identity, date of birth, nationality or family relationships.
If your birth certificate is not in English, an English translation may be required.
Related service: NAATI certified birth certificate translation
2. Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Marriage certificates, divorce certificates and other relationship documents are commonly required for partner and family visa applications.
An accurate translation is particularly important because names, dates, locations and relationship details need to correspond with the original document.
3. Driver Licences
An overseas driver’s licence may need to be translated when it is being used for licensing, identification or other official purposes.
Express Translator provides NAATI-certified driver’s licence translations for documents in eligible languages.
Related service: Driver licence translation – Express Translator
4. National Identity Cards
National ID cards and other identity documents may contain information that is important for establishing your identity.
The translation should accurately reproduce names, dates, document numbers and other relevant information.
5. Passports and Travel Documents
Depending on the application, you may need to provide translated pages or supporting travel documents.
Always check your visa’s document checklist rather than assuming that every page of a passport needs translation.
6. Police Certificates
Police certificates and character documents issued in another language may require English translation.
These documents can be particularly important for visa applications where character requirements apply.
7. Education and Qualification Documents
These can include:
- University degrees
- Academic transcripts
- School certificates
- Vocational qualifications
- Trade certificates
- Training certificates
- Graduation documents
Translated qualifications may also be required for skills assessments or professional registration, depending on the organisation assessing your qualifications.
8. Employment Documents
Some applicants may need to provide translated:
- Employment reference letters
- Employment certificates
- Payslips
- Tax documents
- Professional records
- Work history evidence
The specific evidence required varies according to the visa and your circumstances.
9. Military and Service Documents
Military service cards, military records and other official service documents may need translation when they form part of your identity or supporting evidence.
10. Property and Financial Documents
Depending on your visa application, supporting evidence may include:
- Property title documents
- Bank documents
- Financial statements
- Loan documents
- Asset evidence
- Business records
Whether a particular document needs translation depends on the requirements of your application.
Do All Non-English Documents Need to Be Translated?
As a general rule, documents submitted to Home Affairs that are not in English need to be translated into English.
Home Affairs states:
All documents not in English must be translated into English.
For translations completed in Australia, the translator must be accredited by NAATI. Applicants should submit both the original non-English document and the translated document.
However, do not assume that every document needs exactly the same treatment. Visa requirements can differ between subclasses and circumstances.
The safest approach is to check the official document checklist for your specific visa before ordering translations.
Check twice, submit once – Department of Home Affairs
Can I Translate My Own Documents?
You should not rely on your own translation simply because you are fluent in English and another language.
If Home Affairs requires an accredited translation, the translation needs to meet the relevant requirements. For translations completed in Australia, Home Affairs specifically requires a NAATI-accredited translator.
A translation produced by:
- a friend
- a family member
- a bilingual colleague
- an online machine translation tool
- an unaccredited translator
should not be treated as a substitute for a required NAATI translation.
Is NAATI the Same as Notarisation?
No.
NAATI certification and notarisation are different things.
A NAATI credential relates to the translator’s professional qualifications and certification.
Notarisation generally involves a notary public witnessing or certifying certain documents, signatures or copies.
If your application requires both a certified copy and a certified translation, these are separate requirements.
For example, you might need:
Original document → certified copy, if required → NAATI-certified English translation
Do not assume that having a document notarised means its translation is automatically NAATI certified.
Do I Need a NAATI Translation If My Document Was Translated Overseas?
It depends on where the translation was completed and the requirements of your particular application.
Home Affairs provides different requirements for translations completed in Australia and translations completed outside Australia.
For translations completed in Australia, Home Affairs requires the translator’s NAATI practitioner number.
For translations completed outside Australia, Home Affairs generally asks for information such as the translator’s full name, address, telephone number and qualifications.
If you are unsure whether an existing overseas translation meets your visa requirements, check the instructions for your specific visa before submitting it.
How Much Does NAATI Translation Cost in Australia?
There is no single price for every NAATI-certified translation.
The cost can depend on:
- Document type
- Language pair
- Number of pages
- Amount of text
- Document complexity
- Required turnaround time
- Whether additional formatting is required
At Express Translator, you can request a quote or order online without needing to visit a translation office.
Need a translation urgently? Ask about express turnaround when placing your order.
How Long Does NAATI Translation Take?
Turnaround times depend on the language, document and workload.
Some straightforward documents can be completed quickly, while longer or more complex documents may take more time.
If you have a visa deadline, do not wait until the last minute.
Express Translator offers online ordering and urgent translation options for eligible documents and languages.
Need it urgently? Order your NAATI translation online
How to Order a NAATI Certified Translation Online
You do not normally need to visit a translation office to start the process.
Step 1: Prepare your document
Take a clear photo or scan of the document you need translated.
Make sure all relevant information is visible.
Step 2: Upload the document
Submit your document through the Express Translator online ordering process.
Step 3: Confirm the translation details
Provide the required contact and order information and confirm the language and document type.
Step 4: Pay securely
Complete your order online.
Step 5: Your translation is prepared
A NAATI-certified translator completes the translation according to the requirements applicable to the document.
Step 6: Receive your translation
The completed translation is delivered electronically, with other delivery options available where applicable.
How to Choose a NAATI Translation Service
Price is important, but it should not be the only consideration.
Before ordering, check:
1. Is the translator appropriately NAATI credentialled?
For translations completed in Australia, Home Affairs requires a NAATI-accredited translator.
2. Is the service experienced with official documents?
Immigration documents contain important personal information. Accuracy in names, dates, document numbers and official terminology matters.
3. Is pricing clear?
Look for a service that explains its pricing and turnaround before you order.
4. Can you order online?
An online ordering process can be particularly useful if you are overseas, interstate or working to a visa deadline.
5. Does the service offer urgent translation?
If your visa application has a deadline, ask about express options before placing your order.
Why Choose Express Translator?
Express Translator provides NAATI-certified translation services in Australia, with online ordering designed to make the process simple.
You can:
- Order online
- Upload your document electronically
- Request a quote
- Order translations for immigration and official documents
- Access translation services across a broad range of language pairs
- Request urgent translation where available
Our focus is simple: accurate, convenient and fast translation for people who need official documents translated for use in Australia.
Get a NAATI translation quote from Express Translator
Frequently Asked Questions About NAATI Translation
What is a NAATI certified translation?
A NAATI-certified translation is a translation produced by a translator holding an appropriate NAATI credential. NAATI is Australia’s national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters.
Do I need NAATI translation for an Australian visa?
If your visa application includes documents that are not in English, you generally need English translations. For translations completed in Australia, Home Affairs requires a NAATI-accredited translator.
What documents can Express Translator translate?
Express Translator can arrange NAATI-certified translations for many official documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver’s licences, identity documents, police certificates, qualifications and other personal or official documents.
Can I use Google Translate for my visa documents?
Do not rely on Google Translate or another machine translation where your visa application requires an accredited translation. Use a translator who meets the requirements specified by Home Affairs.
Can a friend translate my birth certificate?
If Home Affairs requires a NAATI-accredited translation, a friend or family member should not be used as a substitute for the required professional translation.
Does a NAATI translation expire?
The translation itself does not generally have an expiry date simply because it is a translation. However, whether an older translation is acceptable can depend on the requirements of the organisation receiving it and whether the underlying document or information has changed.
Can I order a NAATI translation online?
Yes. You can upload your document and arrange a NAATI-certified translation online without visiting a physical translation office.
Order online with Express Translator
How quickly can I get a NAATI translation?
Turnaround depends on the language, document and service selected. Express Translator offers urgent options for eligible documents and languages. Contact us before ordering if you have a strict deadline.
Important: Check Your Visa Requirements
Translation requirements can vary depending on your visa subclass and circumstances.
This guide is general information and is not immigration or legal advice. Before submitting your application, check the latest requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs website and the document checklist for your specific visa.
NAATI – National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
Need a NAATI Certified Translation?
Don’t let document translation become the difficult part of your Australian visa application.
Express Translator makes it easy to arrange a NAATI-certified translation online.
Upload your document, get your quote and order online.