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Commonly Asked Questions

Certified Document Translation Services in Australia

Are you seeking certified NAATI translations for your immigration, civil, legal, or academic applications in Australia, or at an Australian embassy?

Sydney Translation Services connects you with a vast network of NAATI-certified translators. Our services are straightforward to order, with fast delivery and a guarantee of 100% acceptance across Australia.

Our certified translations are recognised by AHPRA, Australia banks, the Department of Home Affairs, Medicare, Passport Office, Centrelink, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). We accept documents online in PDF, Image, or Word formats.

What Type of Certified Translation is Approved in Australia?

In Australia, translations intended for official purposes must be certified. Any document not in English must be accompanied by an English translation that meets certification standards.

The certified translation bears the stamp of the certified translator, who attests that the translation is true, accurate, and reliable to the best of knowledge of the certified translator for official use. These translations are often completed entirely by certified translators, although, in some cases, the initial translation may be done by a non-certified translator and then reviewed and certified by a NAATI-certified professional.

In Australia, certification for translators and interpreters is issued exclusively by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Only NAATI-certified translators can provide the necessary certification. Many official institutions, government agencies, and legal bodies require certified translations to ensure accuracy, reliability, and compliance. Certified translations are crucial for processes such as immigration, academic admissions, and legal proceedings. With our NAATI-certified translation service, you can ensure that your documents are officially translated and are accepted without hassle.

It's important to note that only the translation is certified, not the source document. Certified translators are not responsible for verifying the authenticity of the source document. For this reason, Sydney Translation Services refers to the document to be translated as the ‘source document’ and avoids using terms like the ‘original document’.

When Will Translation Done by a NAATI-Certified Translator be Required?

There are numerous administrative processes in Australia where certified translation prepared by a NAATI-certified translator is required.

• Academic Submissions: When applying to an Australian university or college, certified translations of academic records, such as diplomas and transcripts, might be necessary to meet application requirements. Some authorities like AHPRA also have stricter requirements besides NAATI translator certification.
• Immigration Documents: For visa or permanent residency applications, you’ll need certified translations of essential documents like birth and marriage certificates, as well as police clearance certificates.
• Legal Documentation: In legal proceedings, whether in court or other legal contexts, certified translations of key documents—such as contracts, witness statements, and affidavits—are crucial to maintain their legitimacy and trustworthiness.
• Employment Verification: Job seekers in Australia may be required to present certified translations of their employment history, references, and professional qualifications to potential employers.
• Loan Applications: When your financial documents from overseas are required to prove your past employment, income or assets holding, certified translation is required for the bank's assessment purposes.

Documents That Require Certified Translation in Australia

Our document translation services cover all types of documents, including but not limited to:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decrees
• Degree and transcripts
• Death certificate
• Family records
• Medical records
• No-criminal statements
• Passport and visas
• Tax return and bank statements
• Digital messages and email records
• Wills and Power of Attorney

Where Translations From a NAATI-Certified Translator are Required in Australia

Sydney Translation Services provide certified document translations to various authorities in Australia including:

• The Department of Home Affairs
• Australian Passport Office
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Australian Taxation Office
• State and Territory Courts
• Professional Licensing and Accreditation Bodies

FAQs About our Translations from NAATI-Certified Translators

How Much Does an English-Australian Translation Cost?

The cost for translation can vary greatly depending on the language, urgency, legibility, technicality, volume, additional proof-read requirements and certification requirements. Our delivery manager is able to factor all these quickly to get back to you with a fixed quote usually within 15-30 mins. Our prices are very competitive and start from AUD$65 per page. If you find a better quote from a reputable Australia-based translation company, send us an email and we'll try to beat it.

Who is a NAATI-Certified Translator?

A NAATI-certified translator refers to a professional translator who has been certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) in Australia. NAATI is the only recognised national standards and certification body for translators and interpreters in Australia. Certified NAATI translators have to renew their certification every three years.

Can NAATI Certify Documents?

NAATI does not certify documents. They certify the translators who are qualified to prepare the certified translation.

Do Translators Have to be NAATI Certified?

Having NAATI certification is necessary to work as a certified translator in Australia because NAATI is the only body that certifies translators in Australia. Sydney Translation's translators that do not have NAATI certification are independent professional translators, not certified translators. They are also an important part of the team and may be even more qualified depending on their tertiary qualifications, experience and domain knowledge in specific industries.

What is NAATI?

NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. It is the national body in Australia responsible for setting standards and providing certification for translators and interpreters.

What is the Difference Between a Translation done by a NAATI Translator & a Regular Translation?

A NAATI-certified translation is prepared by a translator with certification from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) in Australia, they have legal and professional obligations in ensuring that the translation meets the official standards required by government agencies, courts, and other authorities in Australia. A regular translation, which can be equally accurate, does not provide the same assurance for authorities and is generally not accepted for official purposes in Australia.