Business & Investment Visa Document Checklist — documents that may need certified translation
Business and investment applications are the most document-intensive category in the system. They are assessed on audited financial history, lawful accumulation of assets, and a demonstrable record of ownership or management. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements specific to your visa.
Important
This checklist is general guidance only. Not all documents listed will be required for every application. Requirements vary depending on your individual circumstances, the specific visa subclass, and the Department of Home Affairs' current requirements. Always verify the requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.
What decision-makers focus on in Business & Investment applications
Lawful accumulation
Assets must be traceable to lawful sources, with a documented history rather than a closing balance.
Genuine involvement
Ownership percentages, turnover thresholds and management role are checked against audited records.
State priorities
Nomination criteria vary by state and change frequently, and can be tighter than the federal criteria.
Timing and sequence cautions
- Audited statements take time to prepare — start with your accountant well before lodgement.
- Nomination criteria change between program years; confirm the current settings before you commit.
- Asset valuations have limited currency and may need to be refreshed during processing.
Common mistakes in Business & Investment files
- Unaudited management accounts submitted where audited statements are required.
- Asset transfers between relatives with no documented history behind them.
- Business activity that does not match the turnover claimed in the application.
- Financial statements and registration documents provided without certified translations.
Which Documents May Need NAATI-Certified Translation?
Every audited statement, tax assessment, share register, valuation and company registration issued outside Australia needs a certified English translation — including tabular data, footnotes and auditor sign-off, since figures without their labels cannot be assessed.
- Company registration and constitution documents
- Share registers and ownership certificates
- Audited financial statements for the required years
- Business tax returns and assessments
- Employee records or payroll summaries
- Net asset statements prepared by a qualified accountant
- Property titles and valuations
- Investment and share portfolio statements
- Bank statements for personal and business accounts
- Evidence of lawful accumulation of funds
- Evidence of the proposed investment or business activity
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or de facto evidence
- Children's birth certificates and education records
- Police clearances for each country of long-term residence
- Records of any litigation, insolvency or regulatory action
Trans Lingo provides NAATI-certified translations from $59 per page, delivered within 24 hours.
Save or Print This Checklist
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Related Guides
Business & Investment overview
Full category guide and document list.
Subclass 188 — Business Innovation & Investment
Provisional business and investor visa.
Subclass 888 — Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent)
Permanent business and investor visa.
Birth Certificate Translation
NAATI-certified, from $59.
Frequently Asked Questions
This checklist is general guidance for documents commonly used in Business & Investment applications. Not every document will apply to every applicant. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements.
Section A — Business ownership and operation
- Company registration and constitution documentsTranslation required
- Share registers and ownership certificatesTranslation required
- Audited financial statements for the required yearsTranslation required
- Business tax returns and assessmentsTranslation required
- Employee records or payroll summariesTranslation required
Section B — Personal and business assets
- Net asset statements prepared by a qualified accountantTranslation required
- Property titles and valuationsTranslation required
- Investment and share portfolio statementsTranslation required
- Bank statements for personal and business accountsTranslation required
- Evidence of lawful accumulation of fundsTranslation required
Section C — Nomination and commitment
- State or territory nomination approvalNot usually required
- Business plan submitted to the nominating stateMay need translation
- Evidence of the proposed investment or business activityTranslation required
- Declaration of intended residence in the nominating stateNot usually required
Section D — Identity and family
- Passport bio-data pageMay need translation
- Birth certificateTranslation required
- Marriage or de facto evidenceTranslation required
- Children's birth certificates and education recordsTranslation required
Section E — Character, health and compliance
- Police clearances for each country of long-term residenceTranslation required
- Records of any litigation, insolvency or regulatory actionTranslation required
- Health examinations after referralNot usually required
- Evidence of compliance with foreign investment rulesMay need translation
This checklist is general guidance only and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. Always verify the current requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.