One of the most common points of confusion when getting documents translated in Australia is the difference between certified and notarised translation. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they refer to quite different processes with different purposes. Understanding the distinction between certified vs notarised translation Australia authorities recognise is important, because using the wrong type can result in your documents being rejected.
What Is a Certified Translation in Australia?
A certified translation in Australia is a translation completed by a NAATI certified translator. NAATI — the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters — is the only body that formally accredits translators in Australia. When a NAATI certified translator completes a translation, they attach a certification statement that includes:
- Their NAATI certification number
- A declaration that the translation is true and accurate
- Their signature and the date of translation
- The language pair (source and target languages)
This certification confirms that a qualified, independently assessed professional has produced the translation and vouches for its accuracy. Certified translations are what Australian government departments, courts, universities, and professional bodies require for official submissions.
Our certified translations start from $80 with standard delivery in 24 to 48 hours. We have over 10 years of NAATI experience and our translations are accepted by all Australian government departments.
What Is a Notarised Translation?
A notarised translation involves a different layer of authentication. Notarisation is performed by a Notary Public — a qualified legal practitioner who is authorised to witness documents, administer oaths, and certify copies. When a translation is notarised, the Notary Public does not verify the accuracy of the translation itself. Instead, they typically:
- Witness the translator's signature or statutory declaration
- Certify that the person who signed the translation is the person they claim to be
- Affix their notarial seal and signature to the document
The critical distinction in the certified vs notarised translation Australia context is this: a Notary Public verifies identity and witnesses the signing, but does not assess translation quality. A NAATI certified translator verifies translation accuracy but does not perform notarisation. They serve different functions.
When Do You Need Each Type?
The type of translation you need depends entirely on who will receive the document and what they require:
Certified translation (NAATI) is needed for:
- Australian visa and immigration applications
- Enrolment at Australian universities and TAFEs
- Professional registration with bodies like AHPRA, Engineers Australia, or CPA Australia
- Submissions to Australian courts and tribunals
- Applications to Centrelink, Medicare, and state government agencies
- Driving licence conversions through state transport authorities
Notarised translation may be needed for:
- Documents being sent to certain overseas jurisdictions that do not recognise NAATI
- International business contracts where parties require notarial authentication
- Submissions to foreign embassies or consulates in Australia that specify notarisation
- Documents requiring apostille legalisation for use in Hague Convention countries
In many cases, the two processes work together. A document may first be translated by a NAATI certified translator and then taken to a Notary Public for notarisation. This provides both translation accuracy (via NAATI) and identity verification (via the Notary).
What About Apostille Legalisation?
An apostille is an additional layer of authentication used for documents that will be used overseas. Australia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2024, which means Australian documents can now be authenticated with an apostille for use in other member countries.
The relationship between apostille and translation can be confusing. Generally, the process works like this:
- The original document is issued by an Australian authority (for example, a birth certificate from a state registry)
- The document is translated by a NAATI certified translator
- The original document (and sometimes the translation) is notarised by a Notary Public
- An apostille is obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Not all documents require all these steps. The specific requirements depend on the receiving country and the purpose of the document. For detailed information about the apostille process, see our guide on how to get an apostille in Australia.
Common Misconceptions
Several misconceptions surround the certified vs notarised translation Australia process:
- "Notarised means more official than certified" — Not necessarily. For Australian domestic purposes, NAATI certification is the gold standard. Notarisation serves a different function and is mainly relevant for international use.
- "A Justice of the Peace can certify a translation" — A JP can certify that a copy is a true copy of an original document, but they cannot certify a translation. Only a NAATI certified translator can do that.
- "Any solicitor can notarise a translation" — Not all solicitors are Notaries Public. Notarisation requires a specific appointment, and only Notaries Public can affix a notarial seal.
- "I need both for Australian immigration" — The Department of Home Affairs requires NAATI certified translation. They do not require notarisation for standard visa applications.
We provide translations across many languages, including Arabic translation, Chinese translation, French translation, Spanish translation, German translation, Italian translation, Japanese translation, and Russian translation.
For more on NAATI certification, see our article on what NAATI certification is in Australia. If you need help with legal translations, our guide on legal translation services in Australia provides additional guidance on navigating the requirements for courts and legal proceedings.