Certified Translation Requirements for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Receiving a state nomination not only grants you 5 additional points toward your score in SkillSelect — it also means you are subject to two sets of documentation requirements: one for the state or territory's nomination process, and one for the Department of Home Affairs visa application.
If any of your supporting documents are not in English, you will need certified translation skilled nominated visa 190 applications must include from a NAATI-accredited translator. This guide walks you through exactly what's required at each stage.
Understanding the Two-Stage Process
The subclass 190 pathway involves two distinct stages:
- State or Territory Nomination — you apply to a state or territory government body to be nominated. Each state has different eligibility criteria, occupation lists, and documentation requirements.
- Visa Application to the Department of Home Affairs — once nominated, you receive an invitation to apply via SkillSelect and must lodge a full visa application within 60 days.
Certified translations may be required at both stages, and the requirements can differ. Starting your translations early — ideally before you submit your state nomination EOI — will save significant time.
Documents Requiring Certified Translation for Subclass 190
Skills Assessment Documents
Before you can apply for a subclass 190, you must hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. Where your qualifications or employment evidence is in a language other than English, certified translations will be needed for the skills assessment. These typically include:
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Vocational qualifications and trade certificates
- Employment reference letters and experience letters
- Professional licences or regulatory registrations
State Nomination Supporting Documents
Each state or territory maintains its own nomination portal and document requirements. While requirements vary, most states will require certified translation of any foreign-language documents you submit as part of your nomination application, such as:
- Bank statements demonstrating settlement funds
- Evidence of ties to the state (employment offer letters, rental agreements)
- Identity documents including birth certificates and passports
- Any supporting statements or statutory declarations in a foreign language
Visa Application Documents (Department of Home Affairs)
Once nominated and invited to apply, you will need to provide a complete document set to the Department of Home Affairs. Documents in a language other than English that commonly require certified translation for skilled nominated visa 190 applications include:
- Identity documents: birth certificates, national identity cards, passports
- Civil status documents: marriage certificates, divorce certificates, change of name certificates
- Character documents: police clearance certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Partner and dependent documents: birth certificates, relationship evidence, and identity documents for any family members included in the application
- Health-related documents: medical records or referral letters (in rare cases)
- Academic and professional credentials (if not already translated for the skills assessment and accepted by the Department)
What Is a NAATI Certified Translation?
Australia's Department of Home Affairs requires that all translations submitted for immigration purposes be completed by a translator with an active NAATI credential. NAATI — the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters — sets the professional standard for translators working in Australia.
A compliant NAATI certified translation must include:
- The translator's full name
- Their NAATI credential number and language pair
- A signed statement declaring that the translation is accurate and complete
- The date of translation
Translations performed by bilingual individuals, community interpreters, or overseas-accredited translators are not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs unless they hold a current NAATI credential.
State-by-State Nomination Notes
While a full state-by-state breakdown is beyond the scope of this article, here are a few important points about how state nomination documentation works for subclass 190:
New South Wales
NSW Skills lists specific documents required for each occupation. Foreign language documents must be accompanied by NAATI certified translations. Evidence of residence or employment in NSW may also be required.
Victoria
Victoria requires strong evidence of connection to Victoria for many occupations. Translation requirements follow standard Department of Home Affairs guidelines — NAATI certification is mandatory.
Queensland
Queensland's skilled migration program is administered by the Queensland Government. Foreign-language supporting documents should be translated before submission of the state EOI.
Western Australia
WA has one of Australia's broadest occupation lists under its state nomination program. Many applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds will have significant translation requirements across both WA nomination and federal application stages.
Common Errors That Delay Subclass 190 Applications
Not translating state nomination documents
Some applicants translate documents for the federal visa application but overlook the state nomination stage. Check each state's guidelines carefully — submitting untranslated documents to a state body can result in rejection of your nomination application altogether.
Police clearances without certified translation
Police clearance certificates from non-English-speaking countries must be translated. This is one of the most frequently overlooked requirements — particularly for applicants who have lived in countries like China, India, Korea, or the Philippines.
Expired or stale translations
NAATI certified translations themselves do not have an expiry date, but the underlying documents (like police clearances) do. If your police clearance is older than 12 months, you will likely need a new clearance — and therefore a new translation.
How to Get Certified Translations Quickly
LodgeHQ Translations connects you with NAATI-certified translators across all major language pairs. The process is simple: upload your document, receive competitive quotes, and receive your completed certified translation within 48 hours. All translations are issued in the format required by the Department of Home Affairs and state nomination bodies.
Given the 60-day window from invitation to application lodge, having your translations prepared before you receive your invitation — especially for documents you already know you will need, like police clearances and identity documents — is the most effective approach.
Ready to get started? Get your certified translation today — upload your document, compare quotes from NAATI-certified translators, and receive your translation within 48 hours.