How this checker works
The Australian Department of Home Affairs requires every supporting document in a language other than English to be translated by a NAATI certified translator. The exact list of documents you need depends on your visa subclass, your country of birth, your travel history, your marital status, and whether you are relying on foreign qualifications or work experience. This tool combines those signals to produce a tailored shortlist instead of a generic checklist that misses your specific situation.
What "NAATI certified" actually means
NAATI (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) is the only body recognised by Australian government departments to certify translator competence. A NAATI certified translation includes the translator's accreditation stamp, signature, and a statement of accuracy. Without these elements, your translation is technically just a foreign-language document with English text next to it — it will not be accepted by Home Affairs, VicRoads, the passport office, or most courts and tribunals.
Documents that almost always need translation
- Birth certificates and family books
- Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and court orders related to family law
- Police clearance certificates from every country you've lived in for 12+ months
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Driver licences (for licence conversion)
- Bank statements, employment letters, and tax records when used as evidence
- National identity documents where these replace a birth certificate
Documents that sometimes need translation
Partner visa applicants often need translations of joint lease agreements, household bills, statutory declarations from family members, and informal letters used as relationship evidence. Skilled visa applicants typically need employer references, payslips, and professional registration certificates translated when these support their nominated occupation. Visitor visa applicants for higher-risk passport countries should translate financial and employment evidence to demonstrate genuine intent to return home.
Why submitting untranslated documents delays applications
When a case officer encounters a non-English document without certified translation, they issue a section 56 request for further information. These requests typically pause your application for 28 days while you scramble to organise translations — and Bridging Visa processing, work rights, and travel plans all wait with you. Submitting complete NAATI certified translations up front is the single highest-leverage thing you can do to keep your application moving.
Cost expectations
Our standard NAATI certified translations are AUD 59 per page, with a flat per-page price for most identity and civil status documents. Academic transcripts and multi-page court documents are charged per page. You receive a fixed quote before payment — no surprises and no per-word billing. Express turnaround is available where the source document quality allows it.
Next steps
Once you have your personalised list above, gather clear scans or photos of each document (all pages, flat, no glare). Upload them through our secure portal, choose standard or express turnaround, and a NAATI certified translator will return a Home Affairs-ready PDF — typically within 24 hours for standard documents. If anything is ambiguous, our team will flag it before you pay.