Australia has many visa categories, and each one can require a different document set. This checklist covers the most common translation needs and should be checked against current department guidance before submission.
Skilled migration visas (189 / 190 / 491)
- academic certificates (bachelor's, master's, doctorate)
- degree certificates
- full academic transcripts
- skills assessment documents
- employment reference letters with job title, salary, and employment dates
- police clearance certificates
- birth certificates
- marriage or divorce certificates, if applicable
- household registration booklets
Note: Skilled migration applications usually have the highest expectations for completeness. Missing translations can affect scoring or document review.
Partner visas (820 / 801)
- marriage certificates
- birth certificates
- household registration booklets
- police clearance certificates
- divorce certificates or death certificates from a previous spouse, if applicable
- relationship evidence translations, such as joint accounts or cohabitation evidence
Note: Relationship evidence must communicate both parties' details clearly and formally.
Student visas (500)
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- academic certificates
- transcripts
- birth certificates
- household registration booklets
- parents' income evidence, if applicable
- bank balance evidence, if applicable
Parent migration visas (103 / 143 / 804)
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- full household registration booklets
- police clearance certificates
- medical reports
- financial sponsorship documents
Note: Parent migration cases often involve the whole family, so names and addresses need to be handled consistently across a large document set.
Work visas (482 / 186)
- academic certificates
- employment reference letters
- occupational qualification certificates
- police clearance certificates
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates, if family members are included
New Zealand visas
New Zealand also requires supporting documents not in English to be translated. Requirements can vary by visa type, so check current INZ guidance before submission (Immigration New Zealand — Providing English translations of supporting documents).
Visa type vs document focus matrix
| Visa type | Core translated documents | Extra attention points |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled migration (189/190/491) | Qualifications, employment records, police checks | Consistent name and date formatting |
| Partner (820/801) | Relationship and civil-status documents | Evidence context and completeness |
| Student (500) | Academic and financial support documents | Match institution naming exactly |
| Parent (103/143/804) | Family records and medical/financial files | Family-wide consistency |
| Work (482/186) | Qualifications and employment proofs | Occupation wording consistency |
Quick reminder: This is a practical checklist, not a replacement for the official visa checklist. Confirm the latest requirements first, then have the full set translated consistently.
UniLingua Translation supports all of the visa categories listed above.