What to Translate for Your Australian Student Visa

The 2026 Guide for International Students Applying to Study in Australia

Applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) is one of the most document-intensive visa processes the Department of Home Affairs administers. And if any of those documents are not in English, you will generally need a NAATI certified translation.

This guide covers the documents that typically require certified translation for a Subclass 500 application, what a valid certified translation should include, and the mistakes most likely to delay or complicate your application. Requirements can vary depending on individual circumstances, so we always recommend checking the official DHA website for the most current information before you lodge. If you are ready to get started, you can order your translation online or request a free quote from Migration Translators.

What Is a NAATI Certified Translation and Why Does It Matter for a Student Visa?

NAATI (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) is the government-recognised credentialling body for translators in Australia. When the Department of Home Affairs requires a certified translation, they generally mean a translation completed by a NAATI credentialled professional.

A valid NAATI certified translation typically includes the translator’s full name, their NAATI credential number, a signed declaration that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original, and the date of certification. Documents that do not meet the DHA’s standards are likely to be rejected or queried during processing.

Documents That Typically Require NAATI Certified Translation

As a general rule, any document you submit that is not in English will need to be accompanied by a certified English translation. Below is a breakdown of the documents most commonly required for a Subclass 500 application. Your specific requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, course level, and individual circumstances.

1. Identity Documents

• Passport (bio data pages)
• Birth certificate
• National identity card
• Any previous passports containing relevant entry or exit stamps
• Name change documents (deed poll or equivalent)

2. Academic Qualifications and Transcripts

• Secondary school certificates and transcripts (Year 10, 11, 12 or equivalent)
• Bachelor degree certificates and transcripts (where applying for postgraduate study)
• Diplomas, certificates, and vocational qualifications
• Mark sheets for each year of study
• Graduation letters or completion certificates
• Gap year documentation or explanation letters (where applicable)

Academic records are among the most commonly translated documents in a Subclass 500 application. The DHA typically uses your academic history to assess whether your chosen course represents a genuine next step in your education. See our translations for students page for more on the types of academic documents we cover.

3. Financial Evidence

You will generally need to demonstrate that you can cover tuition fees, living costs, and return airfare. As a guide, the DHA’s indicative 2026 benchmarks include:

• AUD 24,505 per year for living costs (student)
• AUD 8,574 per year if bringing a partner
• AUD 8,296 per year per school-age child
• Tuition fees as specified on your CoE
• Return airfare (typically AUD 2,000 to 3,000)

These figures are indicative and subject to change. Always verify current thresholds on the DHA website before you lodge. Financial documents not in English will generally need to be translated. These commonly include:

• Bank statements (typically covering 3 to 6 months of transaction history)
• Education loan approval letters from a registered financial institution
• Sponsor financial declarations and supporting statements
• Term deposit certificates
• Government scholarship or financial support letters

4. Genuine Student (GS) Supporting Documents

Since July 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. Your GS responses form part of your online application, but supporting documents you attach may also need to be translated. These can include:

• Employment reference letters or work history documents
• CV or resume (particularly where explaining study gaps)
• Professional registration or licensing documents
• Letters from your employer relating to your reasons for study

5. Police Clearance Certificates

• Police clearance from your home country
• Police clearance from any country where you have lived for 12 or more months

Police clearances are typically required to be issued by the relevant authorities in the country of origin. Where your police clearance is in a language other than English, a NAATI certified translation will generally be required before submission.

6. Family and Relationship Documents (If Bringing Dependants)

If you are including a partner or children in your application, translated versions of the following are typically required:

• Marriage certificate
• De facto relationship evidence
• Birth certificates for dependent children
• Custody or parental responsibility orders (where applicable)
• School enrolment evidence for school-age children

7. Health and Medical Documents

Most applicants are directed to complete a health examination after lodging, through an approved Bupa Medical Visa Services (BVMS) panel physician. Results generally go directly from the physician to the DHA and are not submitted through ImmiAccount. However, where you have pre-existing medical records or specialist reports that you are asked to provide as supporting evidence, these would typically need to be translated if they are not in English.

8. Parental Consent Documents (Applicants Under 18)

• Signed parental consent declaration
• Welfare arrangements documentation
• Evidence of the nominated guardian’s identity and relationship

Parental or guardian documents not in English will generally need to be NAATI certified translated.

Documents That Generally Do Not Require Translation

Some documents in a typical Subclass 500 application are issued in English and would not normally require translation:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — issued in English by your Australian institution
• English language test results (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1/C2) — issued in English
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) certificate — issued in English by your Australian insurer
• Australian university offer letters — issued in English

What a Valid NAATI Certified Translation Should Include

A certified translation that does not meet the DHA’s standards is likely to be rejected or queried. A valid certified translation should generally include:

• The translator’s full name and NAATI credential number
• A signed declaration that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original
• The date the translation was completed
• The translator’s contact details

Self-translated documents are not accepted by the DHA. Submitting your own translation, even if you are fluent in both languages, is generally considered a conflict of interest and is likely to result in delays or rejection.

How Long Does Student Visa Document Translation Take?

As of early 2026, the DHA reports that approximately 75% of Subclass 500 applications are processed within 29 days and 90% within 42 days, though processing times can vary significantly. Having your translations ready well before you lodge is advisable. Typical timeframes from Migration Translators are:

• Standard (3 to 5 business days) for most documents
• Express (24 to 48 hours) — see our express translation service
• Same-day available for some language pairs — contact us to confirm

It is generally recommended to lodge your student visa application at least 6 to 8 weeks before your course start date. If you have multiple documents across different languages, allow extra time accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to translate my entire academic transcript or just the degree certificate?

In most cases, both are expected. The DHA typically looks for certified translations of your degree or diploma certificate and your full academic transcript, including individual subject results and grades. Submitting only the certificate without the transcript is a common cause of requests for further information.

Can I use the same translation for multiple visa applications?

Generally yes. Certified translations of documents such as birth certificates and degree certificates do not typically expire unless the original document has an expiry date. Financial documents like bank statements and police clearances need to be current at the time of application, so those translations will need to reflect up-to-date originals.

What languages does Migration Translators cover for student visa applications?

We cover a wide range of languages. Check our full languages list or contact us if you are unsure whether we cover yours.

How much does NAATI certified translation cost for student visa documents?

Costs vary depending on the language pair, the length of the document, and your required turnaround time. Use our online ordering system for an instant price, or contact us for a free quote.

Can I submit a certified copy of my original document instead of the original?

The DHA generally accepts certified copies of original documents. A certified copy should typically be authorised as a true copy by someone legally recognised to do so in your country, such as a Justice of the Peace, notary public, or equivalent official. Always verify this with the DHA or a registered migration agent for your specific circumstances.

Ready to Get Your Student Visa Documents Translated?

Incomplete or incorrectly translated documents are among the most common and avoidable causes of student visa delays. Getting your translations in order before you lodge gives you the best chance of a smooth application and protects your course start date.