FAQs

If you want to find out more about Australian translations click on a question below for more information. Question not covered? Email TradTrans to ask directly.

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General

How does it work?

Email a scanned copy of your documents to TradTrans (or take a photo with your phone!) and within 24 hours you will receive a quote with an exact price and timeframe. TradTrans does not need to sight the original source documents – just make sure that the scan/photo you attach is legible.

Once you have received your quote you can decide if you wish to continue. If you agree to move forward, TradTrans will complete the translations and return them to you electronically via email as a high resolution colour printable pdf file. All translations automatically include the translator’s NAATI stamp, signature and certification statement.

If you need a hard copy as well just ask.

Payment is due upon receipt of the emailed translations, and can be paid by Australian bank transfer, credit card or PayPal.

Can we do it all by email?

Yes, absolutely. In fact it is the preferred process. Australian translators do not need to sight the original document and normally work by translating electronic copies sent via email. This saves time and there is no risk of the original document being lost or damaged. There is also no problem with doing the translations for you via email while you are still in your home country, or interstate.

I’m in Queensland. Can you still do the translation for me?

Yes, absolutely. It's no problem doing the translations for you via email while you are in a different state or country. Australian translators do not need to sight the original document and normally work by translating electronic copies sent via email.

I’m still in Italy. Can you do the translation before I arrive?

Yes, absolutely. It's no problem doing the translations for you via email while you are still in your home country, or interstate. Australian translators do not need to sight the original document and normally work by translating electronic copies sent via email.

Can you translate my English documents into Spanish for me?

No, the TradTrans service is one-way from Spanish into English only. For translations in the other direction you’ll need a translator certified from English to Spanish. You can find a translator on the NAATI website (look for the green box ‘Find a certified translator or interpreter’) then select Translator > English into Spanish). I can also provide a recommendation for a trusted colleague on request.

Can you translate my English documents into Italian for me?

No, the TradTrans service is one-way from Italian into English only. For translations in the other direction you’ll need a translator certified from English into Italian. You can find a translator on the NAATI website (look for the green box ‘Find a certified translator or interpreter’) then select Translator > English into Italian). I can also provide a recommendation for a trusted colleague on request.

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Publications

Unmarked Vampire
translated by Jacqueline Skewes

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Payment

How much does it cost?

That depends. Most translations start at $50 AUD for a single page standard certificate or $25 AUD per 100 words for full text translations. All translations have a $50 AUD minimum. Email TradTrans to get an exact quote for your particular documents, and remember to attach a copy of your documents to your email. Exact quotes cannot be provided based on document descriptions alone.

Please note, certificates containing handwriting should be accompanied by a self-typed transcript, or extra fees may apply.

How do I pay?

Payment can be made by bank transfer (if you have an Australian bank account), credit card or PayPal, and is due upon receipt of the translation. You can pay in advance if you wish, but in most cases that will not be necessary.

Please note, international bank transfer is not available without prior arrangement.

Do you charge for posting?

Regular post within Australia is included in the quoted price (2-6 business days).

Express post is available on request and is charged at cost. This is $10 AUD within Australia (next business day within the express post network) or $45 AUD international (2-4 business days to a major metropolitan area).

International post is available on request and is also charged at cost (usually $10 AUD for small jobs).

Does the price include GST?

Essentially, yes. GST is not applicable and there is no additional charge. The quoted price is the full price.

Are there any ‘extra’ costs?

Most of the time there are no extra charges. But here's the nitty gritty on pricing:

 • The minimum fee is $50 AUD even if your translation is just a few words

 • Express post and international post are charged at cost (usually around $10 AUD)

 • Apostilles are charged at a price of $10 AUD per page when attached to a standard certificate

 • Certified copy stamp pages are charged at a price of $10 AUD per page when attached to a standard certificate

 • Handwritten documents of any kind are not considered standard documents, so please include a self-typed transcript of your document to avoid any surplus charges (usually around $30 AUD per page, but it depends on the handwriting)

That's it. Everything else is included.

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Motivation in the Workplace
translated by Jacqueline Skewes

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Original documents

Can I get an original stamped copy?

Yes, absolutely. Most of the time you will not need an original copy for use in Australia, but stamped hard copies of the translations can be posted directly to you on request. If so, standard postage is included at no extra cost. The original stamped copy will be mailed to your nominated postal address once payment is received.

You can also request Express Post for an additional fee. Please note, there are very few requirements for having an original signed copy of your translation so originals will only be sent on request.

Australia Post delivery times cannot be guaranteed by TradTrans. See the Auspost website for more information.

Can you certify my original documents for me?

No, translators aren’t generally on the list of professions who are recognised to certify documents. You might like to contact a Justice of the Peace (JP), police officer or chemist instead. Check with the entity who is requesting your translations to find out who is eligible to certify your documents, but as an example here is the list of approved occupations for visa applications according to the Department of Home Affairs.

I’m in St Kilda. Can I pick up the translation tomorrow?

TradTrans does not keep regular office hours and may not always be available for a personal drop-off or pick-up. Express post is recommended as the fastest way to ensure a speedy collection of the translation. However, if necessary we can arrange to leave any urgent translations in a safe place for document collection with prior arrangement.

I need the translation for my driver licence. Should I get an original copy?

Most states and territories in Australia will accept a print-out of your translation and do not need to sight an original copy. There are exceptions to this when driving in South Australia or Western Australia. See the driver licence page for more details.

I need the translations for my visa application. Should I get an original copy?

That depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Most visa applications in Australia can be done online using an ImmiAccount. In that case you will only require electronic copies of your documents and translations.

You may choose to do a paper application. In that case you will require certified copies of your translations as well, and that will require an original hard copy being sent out. For more information on your circumstances see the immigration website.

I need the translations for my residency application. Should I get an original copy?

There are only certain situations in which you should do a paper application for permanent residency. In all other cases you would normally apply online using an ImmiAccount. For online applications you will only require electronic copies of your documents and translations, and should not need a hard copy posted out unless you want one. Some exceptions requiring paper applications include if you:

 • do not have a current or expired passport

 • have not travelled in or out of Australia since July 1990

 • are eligible for a fee concession or exemption

If you are in one of those situations you will require certified copies of your translations as well, and that will require an original hard copy being mailed to you. For more information on your circumstances check the immigration website.

I need the translations for my citizenship application. Should I get an original copy?

There are only certain situations in which you should do a paper application for a citizenship application. In all other cases you would normally apply online using an ImmiAccount. For online applications you will only require electronic copies of your documents and translations, and should not need a hard copy posted out unless you want one.

You have to do a paper application if you want to receive a fee exemption if you are applying to replace an evidence of Australian citizenship that was lost, destroyed or damaged due to a disaster on our natural disaster list. If you are in that situation you will require certified copies of your translations as well, and that will require an original hard copy being mailed to you. For more information on your circumstances check the immigration website.

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Traduzione

Traducción

Translation

NAATI stamp

I notice your stamp says it expires in December 2022. Does that mean I can’t use the translations after this date?

That date refers to the validity of the translator’s credentials, not the translation itself. The current NAATI process requires that the translations are performed within the time period stated on the stamp, and as long as that requirement is met the translations are valid, including at any time beyond the stamp date. The translator’s credentials and stamp itself must be renewed every three years (by demonstrating sufficient professional development and continuous practice) but the translations do not.

See the official NAATI guide on this topic.

I need the translations for my visa application. Are you authorised to do that sort of translation?

Yes, TradTrans only uses translators certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) as a Certified Translator, and always sign, stamp and certify translations as required for the Department of Home Affairs immigration and visa applications. For more information on these requirements, see the Immigration website.

I need a NAATI Certified Translation. Can you help me?

Yes, TradTrans can help. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) never certifies translations directly, but they award the appropriate credentials to a translator, and the translator then certifies the translation. It is more correctly known as a "translation done by a NAATI Certified Translator" though you will often hear people referring to it as a NAATI certified translation.

All translations provided by TradTrans are done by a NAATI Certified Translator, and translations of official and legal documents will be signed, stamped and certified by the translator as required for your certified translation purposes.

I need a NAATI Accredited Translation. Can you help me?

Yes, TradTrans can help. In Australia, a NAATI Accredited Translator is now known as a NAATI Certified Translator, though some organisations haven't yet updated their websites. The terminology is a bit out of date, but we know what you mean.

All translations provided by TradTrans are done by a NAATI Certified Translator, and translations of official and legal documents will be signed, stamped and certified by the translator as required for your accredited translation purposes.

By way of background, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) transitioned from an Accreditation system to a Certification system on 1 January 2018. Under the old accreditation system, translators were accredited as Professional Translators, and the translations done by them were sometimes referred to as Accredited Translations. This system has since been phased out and NAATI now awards translators with the Certified Translator credential instead. Many government agencies and private organisations will now only accept translations done by a NAATI Certified Translator (the gold standard), and references to the old credential are gradually being phased out.

I need a NAATI "Level 3" Accredited Translator. Can you help me?

Yes, TradTrans can help. In Australia, a NAATI "Level 3" Accredited Translator is now known as a Certified Translator, though some organisations haven't updated their websites in years. The terminology is quite out of date, but we know what you mean.

All translations provided by TradTrans are done by a NAATI Certified Translator, and translations of official and legal documents will be signed, stamped and certified by the translator as required for your Level 3 accredited translation purposes.

Here's a rough guide to the terminology and timeline for National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credentialling changes in the Australian translation industry.

Old terminology (≈Diamond/Round stamp)	From mid 90s (Round stamp)	From 1 January 2018 (Rectangle stamp)
Level 2 Accredited Translator	Paraprofessional Translator	Certified Provisional Translator (N/A)
Level 3 Accredited Translator	Professional Translator	Certified Translator
Level 4 Accredited Translator	Advanced Translator	Certified Advanced Translator

More information an the different NAATI stamps and systems is available here.

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If you have any other questions, just email jacqueline@tradtrans.com.au for more information

Email now

Email jacqueline@tradtrans.com.au for a quote or more information

ABN 84 260 723 693
TradTrans
St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia