The short answer
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept self-translated documents for visa applications. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation prepared by a NAATI-certified translator. This applies to all visa types including partner visas, student visas, skilled visas, employer sponsored visas, and citizenship applications.
Why the Department of Home Affairs requires NAATI-certified translation
The Department of Home Affairs requires NAATI certification because it guarantees that the translation has been completed by someone assessed and accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters — the recognised national standard in Australia. A NAATI-certified translator carries an individual credential number and applies a certification statement to each translation, confirming it is accurate and complete. The translation carries the translator's name, credential number, signature, and the certification statement. This provides the Department of Home Affairs with a verifiable chain of accountability that a self-translation cannot provide.
What happens if you submit a self-translated document?
If you submit a document that has not been translated by a NAATI-certified translator, the Department of Home Affairs may request a correctly certified translation before proceeding with your application. This causes delays and, in some cases, may affect the outcome of a time-sensitive application. In immigration matters, it is always safer and faster to get the translation right the first time, especially when bridging visas, work rights, or family reunification are at stake.
Can a bilingual friend or family member translate for me?
No. Even if someone is fluent in both Spanish and English, they cannot prepare a certified translation for Australian visa purposes unless they hold NAATI certification. The certification is what makes the translation legally recognised — not the person's language ability. A friend or relative also cannot meet the independence requirement that authorities expect of a certified translator.
What about notarised translations?
A notarised translation is not the same as a NAATI-certified translation and is generally not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs as a substitute. Notarisation confirms that a signature is genuine — it does not certify the quality or accuracy of the translation itself. Some private institutions may accept notarised translations for non-immigration purposes, but for Australian visa applications, NAATI certification is the required standard.
Which documents need to be translated?
Any document that is not in English and forms part of your visa application must be translated. Common documents requiring translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, academic transcripts and diplomas, employment letters, bank statements, and passports. Where a document contains both English and another language (for example a bilingual certificate), the non-English content still needs to be translated.
How to get a NAATI-certified translation
Upload your document to Trans Lingo. Your document will be translated by a NAATI-certified Spanish to English translator and delivered as a certified PDF within 24 hours, ready to submit to the Department of Home Affairs or upload to ImmiAccount. For a full breakdown of which documents are required by visa type, see the Visa Translation Hub.