Can the Department of Home Affairs reject a translation?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs (and other Australian government agencies) can request a replacement translation or ask for clarification if a submitted translation does not meet their requirements. This is more common than many applicants expect — particularly where the translator is not NAATI-certified, where pages are missing from the translation, or where the scan quality of the original document is poor.
The most common reasons translations are rejected or queried
Not NAATI-certified. The most common reason. Australian immigration authorities require translations to be produced by a NAATI-certified translator. A translation produced by a bilingual friend, an unaccredited agency, or a translator without NAATI credentials is not accepted. Always verify that your translator holds current NAATI certification.
Missing pages. The translation must cover every page of the original document. If a birth certificate is two pages, both pages must be translated. If a police certificate includes a second page of conditions or official seals, that page must be translated too. A translation that covers only the main text but omits headers, footers, stamps, or signatures may be queried.
Poor original scan quality. If the original document was scanned at very low resolution or is physically damaged, the translator may note sections as illegible. The Department of Home Affairs may request a better-quality scan or a retranslation from a clearer copy.
Missing certification statement. Every NAATI-certified translation must include a certification statement from the translator — typically including their full name, NAATI credential number, contact details, and a declaration that the translation is complete and accurate. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the translation will not be accepted.
Document not fully translated. All text on the document — including headers, official seals descriptions, issuing authority names, date formats, and footnotes — must be reflected in the translation. Selective translation of only the main body text is not sufficient.
What to do if your translation is rejected
- Read the request carefully — The Department of Home Affairs will specify what is wrong or missing. Understand exactly what they are asking for before taking action.
- Contact your translation provider — If the issue is with the translation itself (missing content, certification statement errors), contact the translator or agency. A reputable NAATI-certified translation provider will correct genuine errors at no charge.
- Obtain a retranslation if necessary — If the original document needs to be retranslated from a better scan, provide the translation provider with a clearer copy of the original.
- Resubmit promptly — Upload the corrected translation to ImmiAccount as soon as possible. Delays in responding to document requests can slow down your application. See our ImmiAccount uploading guide.
How Trans Lingo handles translation errors
Trans Lingo provides NAATI-certified Spanish to English translations. If a translation delivered by Trans Lingo contains an error attributable to us — for example, a missed section or an incorrect certification statement — we will correct it at no charge. Contact us directly with the Department of Home Affairs request and we will resolve it promptly.
How to avoid translation rejections from the start
- Use a NAATI-certified translator — always verify the translator holds current NAATI credentials.
- Provide a clear, complete scan of the original document — every page, including backs of pages where there is text.
- Submit both the original and the translation — upload them together in the same ImmiAccount attachment section.
- Check that the certification statement is complete — name, NAATI number, date, signature.