Document Translation Requirements in Australia
Official bodies in Australia generally require a certified translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.
Australia follows a certified-translation standard. For documents handled inside Australia — and for any translation that DFAT will apostille — the translator must hold NAATI certification; for applications lodged from overseas, the Department of Home Affairs accepts a recognised professional translator's certified translation. Australia has been in the Hague Apostille Convention since 1995, so an Australian document used abroad is apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Australia requirements at a glance
| Translation standard | Certified translation |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | NAATI-certified translator (if in Australia) or recognised professional translator (if overseas) |
| Apostille | Required for foreign public documents where applicable |
| Apostille authority | The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) — the only authority that issues apostilles in Australia. DFAT will apostille a translation only if it was completed by a NAATI-certified translator. |
| Accepted languages | English |
| Responsible authority | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) – Apostille |
Translations performed in Australia
Translations performed outside Australia
How does Australia treat documents from abroad?
Legal basis
Apostille & legalization for Australia
Australia is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 1995), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
Documents from Australia
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) — the only authority that issues apostilles in Australia. DFAT will apostille a translation only if it was completed by a NAATI-certified translator.Australia has been a party to the Convention since 1995.
U.S. documents going to Australia
A U.S. document going to Australia is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and translated where the receiving body requires it.
The apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the apostille certificate is translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a translation with e-apostille.
How to get a Australia document translation accepted
- 1
Identify whether your application is onshore or offshore
Translations handled inside Australia, and any translation DFAT will apostille, require a NAATI-certified translator; applications lodged from overseas may use a recognised professional translator.
- 2
Order a certified English translation with full translator details
For an offshore application, the certified translation must show the translator's full name and credentials.
- 3
Submit the original plus the certified translation
File them with the Department of Home Affairs, the university, or the assessing authority.
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Submitting foreign documents in Australia?
Authorities in Australia accept certified English translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. We translate from 60+ languages with delivery in 24–48 hours.
Sending U.S. documents to Australia?
U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Australia — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.
Popular certified translations
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Why Australia document translations get rejected
The mistakes we see most often on Australian documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
Non-NAATI translation used for an onshore submission
Inside Australia, the Department of Home Affairs and DFAT apostille require a NAATI-certified translator; a translation from a non-NAATI translator can be refused for onshore use.
Translator details missing from the certification
The certified translation must show the translator's full name and credentials; an unsigned or anonymous certification is not accepted.
Only part of the document translated
The certified translation must cover the whole document, including stamps and seals, not just the main text.
Cost & turnaround
A one-page certificate is priced as a single page; multi-page records are priced by their page count. Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with notarization and e-apostille available as add-ons. See full pricing.
Australia translation requirements — FAQ
Does Australia require a NAATI-certified translator?
For documents handled inside Australia, and for any translation DFAT will apostille, yes — NAATI certification is required. For applications lodged from overseas, the Department of Home Affairs accepts a recognised professional translator's certified translation.
what a certified translation isCan a U.S.-based service translate for an Australian application?
For an offshore application, yes — the Department of Home Affairs accepts a recognised professional translator's certified translation with the translator's full details. For onshore use or a DFAT apostille, a NAATI-certified translator is required.
languages we translateWho issues an apostille in Australia?
Only the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT will apostille a translation only when it was completed by a NAATI-certified translator. Australia has used apostilles since 1995.
how apostilles workWhich languages do you translate for Australia?
We translate from 60+ languages into English, each with a certified statement, for offshore applications to the Department of Home Affairs and to Australian universities and assessing authorities.
languages we translateDo Australian universities accept these translations?
For offshore applications, a certified English translation submitted with the original transcript and diploma is generally accepted; confirm any NAATI requirement with the specific institution.
transcript translationHow much does a certified translation for Australia cost?
Pricing is per page. A one-page certificate is a single page; multi-page records are priced by page count. Notarization and e-apostille are optional add-ons.
see live pricingCan I translate my own documents for Australia?
No. The translation must come from an independent professional translator and be certified; for onshore use that translator must be NAATI-certified.
what a certified translation isRequirements in related countries
Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.
Sources
- Translating and interpreting your documentsDepartment of Home Affairs (Australia)
- DFAT translation requirements (NAATI)NAATI
- Apostilles, authentications and certificatesDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
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