Reviewed August 2026. Requirements change — confirm with the receiving authority before lodging.
Which visa documents usually need translation?
Anything supporting identity, relationship, character, qualifications or finances that is not in English: birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, household or family registration, police certificates, transcripts, employment references and bank documents. The exact list depends on the visa subclass.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Does Home Affairs accept translations made outside Australia?
Home Affairs guidance distinguishes between translations made in Australia, which should be by a NAATI accredited translator, and translations made outside Australia, which must show the translator's full name, address, telephone number and details of their qualifications and experience in the language being translated. Read the current wording on the Home Affairs site before lodging.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
How recent must a police certificate be?
Validity windows are set by the receiving authority and differ between document types and visa programs. Because a certificate can expire while an application is being prepared, check the accepted window before you order the translation.
Can you advise me on my visa application?
No. Immigration assistance in Australia is regulated, and we are not a registered migration agent (OMARA) or a legal practice. We prepare and certify translations, and we point you to the responsible authority's published requirements.
Does the Department of Home Affairs accept scanned translations?
Online lodgement is normally made with uploaded documents, and a digitally signed certified PDF is the usual format. Requirements can differ by stream and by case officer request, so follow the instruction attached to your application.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
How should translated documents be named when uploading?
Use a clear pattern such as document type, holder name and language — for example BirthCertificate_Surname_EN. Upload the original and the translation together where the form allows it, so the assessor sees the pair without searching.
Do I translate every page of a bank statement?
Translate the full period the authority asked for, in full. Extracting only favourable pages reads as an incomplete document and commonly triggers a request for further information, which costs more time than the extra pages would have.
What if my case officer asks for a different translation format?
Follow the case officer's instruction — it overrides general guidance. Send us the exact wording of the request and the deadline, and the set can be reissued in the format asked for.
