When we moved to Australia on a 482 visa, one of the first things we needed to sort out was translating our important documents, like vaccine records and driver's licenses. The Free Translating Service from the Department of Home Affairs is available for many visa holders. If you're not eligible for the free service, or you prefer to use a private translator, it may cost around $50 per document for a translator with an ITAAI certificate. Here’s a breakdown of how we used the service, with steps to make your process smooth.
What You Need to Prepare:
- Personal documents you need translated (with your name on them)
- Your passport photo page or ImmiCard
- Your visa grant notice AND your VEVO Visa Details Check (you can get this from Visa Entitlement Verification Online)
For Children Under 18:
If you're applying for translations for a minor (under 18), you'll need to provide additional documents:
- Details of the parent or legal guardian
Full name, date of birth, email address, phone number (mobile preferred), and relationship to the minor - Passport or ImmiCard of the parent or legal guardian
How It Worked for Us:
We went to translating.homeaffairs.gov.au, where we started by creating an account. After that, we uploaded our documents and selected what we needed translated. Below are the steps we followed:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Go to translating.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Click "Start an application"
- Read and check all the boxes except for the last two, which depend on whether you're doing this for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
- Step 1: Eligibility
Confirm your visa type and that you qualify for the free service. - Step 2: Evidence of your identity
Upload your passport photo page or ImmiCard for identity verification. - Step 3: Supporting documents
Upload your visa grant notice and VEVO details. - Step 4: Documents to translate
- Upload full copies of your documents (e.g., front and back, cover to cover).
- Upload colour copies, not black and white ones.
- Do not combine multiple documents into one file.
- Accepted formats include PDF, DOCX, JPG, or PNG files (max. 25MB per document).
Important Notes:
You must provide the preferred English spelling of all names, places, and organisations mentioned in your documents. Be sure to type the following spellings into the “Additional Notes” field:
- All names (such as parents, children, spouses)
- All organisations (like companies, schools, or government bodies)
- All geographic locations (like cities, provinces, and districts)
After following these steps, we submitted our documents. The translations took around 15 days, and we received digital copies by email, which we used to apply for schools and other services. Plan in advance to avoid any delays with your paperwork.
For more details, FAQs, or help, visit the website. It was a lifesaver for us and made settling into Australia much easier!