Who Can Translate Documents for Immigration in Australia?

Posted on: June 18, 2025 by admin

You have many requirements when immigrating to Australia. One of the most important is translating and submitting your documents in English. But think twice about using Google Translate. Translating your documents for Australian immigration involves various rules and criteria. To ensure you comply with them and have a successful visa outcome, you must know who can translate your documents. Before this, learn why translating your documents for immigration is essential.

Why Translate Your Documents for Immigration?

Translating your immigration documents in English is vital for many reasons, including:

Government requirements: The Department of Home Affairs requires translated documents like birth certificates, marriage papers, and police checks to verify them.
Visa criteria: Translating your documents into English is one of the criteria for visa applications. It helps the Department of Home Affairs vett and verify your qualifications and identity.
Approval: Translating your documents into English can increase your chances of successful visa applications.
Long-term use: Translated documents like your driver’s licence, degree, and birth certificate can be required to convert your driver’s licence, for a job interview, or opening a bank account.

Who Can Officially Translate Immigration Documents?

You must use authorised translators to convert your immigration documents into English in or outside Australia. Here’s who can translate your immigration documents.

Australia

If you’re in Australia, you must use NAATI-Certified Translators. These include government agencies or accredited professional translation services.

Overseas

If you’re applying for a visa abroad, you can contact an Australian consulate, embassy, or high commission in your country. These may differ in various countries, and you must check the list of approved translation services in your region.

Types of Immigration Documents to Translate

Knowing which documents to translate for immigration can be challenging. To give you a better idea, we’ve compiled an immigration document checklist.

Identity Documents

Some essential identity documents to translate include:

Birth certificate
Passport (ID Page)
National ID card or book.
Drivers licence.

Relationship and Family

You must translate various relationship and family certificates, including:

Marriage papers
Divorce papers, if required
Birth certificates of family applicants
Adoption papers of applicants, if required
Death certificate if widowed.

Education Certificates

Here are some education papers to translate if required:

School certificates
Academic transcripts or records
Diplomas and degrees
Training or course certificates.

Work and Employment

Some work and employment documents to translate:

Recommendation letters and other proof of work experience
Previous employment contracts
Trade licenses and permits
Payslips and tax statements, if required.

Police and Legal

You must translate various police and legal certificates, including:

Police clearance and character documents
Court record, if required.

Health Documents

If you’re required to complete a health check, you’ll need to translate the medical records in English.

Other

Some visa applications require additional supporting documents, such as proof of a name change if you’re married and financial documents. These papers must also be translated into English.

Tips for Translating Your Immigration Documents

Translating your immigration documents correctly is vital for successful visa applications. Here are some tips and best practices to help you get started.

1. Know Your Translation Requirements

Different visas require varying document translations. Understanding them before hiring translation services is vital to translating the correct documents. It can also help you avoid paying for non-essential translations.

2. Use a Certified Translator

You must use certified professionals or services to translate your documents. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept translations from online platforms or non-accredited or approved translators.

3. Translate Full Documents

Ensure you translate your documents fully, including stamps, signatures and official marks. Partial document translations will not be accepted.

4. Include Your Translator Certification

Your translated documents must include your translator’s certifications including their full name, NAATI ID or other accreditation, signature, date of translation and a statement to verify your translation is true and accurate.

5. Avoid Using Machine Translation Tools

The Department of Home Affairs only accepts accredited translations and does not recognise online or self-translated copies. Avoid using Google Translate and other machine translation platforms.

6. Submit Your Original and Translated Documents

After completing your translation, attach your original and translated versions and submit them together.

7. Check for Mistakes Before Submitting

Translating mistakes can delay your visa processing. To avoid setbacks, check your translated documents for errors and ask for revisions before submitting.

8. Provide Legible Documents

Scan and upload high-quality document translations to ensure they are clear and easy to read.

9. Translate Early

Translating immigration documents takes time — Getting it done early can streamline the process.

Translate Your Documents With Speak Your Language

Speak Your Language is a leading and accredited translation and interpretation company. We specialise in high-quality and affordable immigration document translations. Our professionals are NAATI-certified and experienced in translating immigration documents.

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