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    Which Documents Need to Be Translated for an Australian Visa?

    The rule is simple: any document submitted with an Australian visa application that is not in English must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified English translation. What varies is which documents each visa type actually needs. Here is a practical guide by visa category.

    The overarching rule

    Under Australia's Migration Regulations, every non-English document you submit as evidence — whether identity, relationship, financial, qualifications or character — must come with a NAATI-certified English translation. Case officers will not attempt to read the Spanish original on their own; they rely entirely on the certified translation.

    Partner visa (Subclass 820/801, 309/100)

    Partner visas are among the most document-heavy. Common translations include:

    See the full Subclass 820/801 translation guide.

    Skilled visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482)

    Detailed guides: Subclass 189, Subclass 482, skilled visa documents resource.

    Student visa (Subclass 500)

    • Birth certificate for identity evidence
    • Prior academic transcripts and diplomas from your home country
    • Bank statements and financial documents evidencing capacity
    • Sponsor letters and any loan approval documents
    • Police clearance if required for your country of citizenship

    See the Subclass 500 translation guide.

    Visitor visa (Subclass 600)

    • Recent bank statements (typically 3 to 6 months)
    • Employment letter confirming leave and return
    • Invitation letters from an Australian host (if written in Spanish)
    • Property or lease documents demonstrating ties to your home country
    • Birth/marriage certificates showing relationship to a sponsoring family member

    Documents that catch people out

    A few document types are commonly overlooked and cause delays:

    • Police clearances from countries you lived in but weren't born in. Home Affairs requires clearances from every country you've lived in for 12+ months.
    • Change of name certificates. If your name on any document differs from your passport, a translated change of name certificate resolves the discrepancy.
    • Apostille and legalisation stamps. These are part of the document — see the apostille translation guide.

    Get started

    Upload your documents to translingo.com.au/start. Trans Lingo returns NAATI-certified translations the same business day at $59 per page.

    Need a NAATI-certified translation? Upload your document and receive it same business day, $59 per page.