The short answer

Any supporting document you submit to AHPRA that isn’t in English must come with an English translation. It doesn’t matter if the document was issued in your home country or the UAE.

A few things AHPRA won’t accept, no matter how well-intentioned:

• Self-translations, even if your English is excellent
• Translations done by a friend or relative
• “Extract” translations that only cover the parts you think matter
• Translations from an unaccredited translator

You are responsible for all the translation costs. AHPRA does not cover translation costs for you. 

Which AHPRA documents may need translation

Not every document in your application needs to be translated. Only the ones issued in a language other than English. Here’s what to know;

Note: If AHPRA receives a document in a language other than English, they will reach out to you to arrange a translation. In this case, you still cover the cost of translation, not AHPRA. 

‘Certified translation’ vs ‘certified copy’

These are two separate requirements, and confusing them is one of the fastest ways to get your application delayed. 

A certified copy is a photocopy of your original document, verified by an authorized officer, such as a notary, a Justice of the Peace, or a solicitor, confirming it’s a true copy of the original. AHPRA asks for this on your identity documents and your qualifications.

A certified translation, on the other hand, is the translated version of a document in a foreign language, accompanied by a signed statement from the translator confirming the translation is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge. 

If your degree certificate isn’t in English, you need a certified copy of the original and a certified translation of it. 

What AHPRA requires from the translation itself

• Full translation, no extracts. AHPRA is explicit that extract translations, that is, partial translations of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and transcripts, will not be accepted. The whole document must be translated.
• Signed statement of accuracy. The translator must provide an original signed statement confirming that the translation is accurate and that they belong to an approved translation organization.
• ID number or seal on every page. Every single page must include the translator’s identification. 
• Printed name, address, and phone number. The translator’s contact details must be included in the document.
• Original and translation submitted together. The certified copy of your source document must be accompanied by the translation.
• Redo at your cost if it’s wrong. If AHPRA decides a translation is incomplete or inaccurate, you’ll need to redo it by a NAATI-accredited translator and bear the cost.

The critical rule for UAE-based applicants translating outside Australia

If you’re translating documents inside Australia, the translator has to be accredited by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters). 

But if you’re translating outside Australia, AHPRA’s own policy states that the translator must belong to an organization approved by the authorities in the country where the translation is made. In the UAE, that means your translator needs to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice, essentially an MOJ-certified legal translator.

For the UAE specifically, the path is straightforward: a UAE Ministry of Justice licensed translator satisfies AHPRA’s “approved by local authorities” requirement, because MOJ accreditation is the official standard recognized by UAE authorities.

Conversely, AHPRA can still ask for a translation to be redone by a NAATI-accredited translator at any point if they find the existing one incomplete or inaccurate. So make sure to get it right the first time.

Mistakes that will get your translation rejected

Most rejections can be traced back to the same handful of avoidable errors.

• Self-translation. AHPRA rejects any translation prepared by relatives, friends, acquaintances, or volunteer agencies.
• Extract translation. Submitting only the part of a document you think matters. AHPRA wants the full document translated every time.
• Missing translator seal or ID. If it’s absent from even one page, the whole translation is treated as non-compliant.
• Submitting the translation without the original certified copy. These two pieces have to be submitted together, not separately.
• Using a general translation service without MOJ licensing. For UAE-based applicants, this can ultimately lead to rejection
• Ignoring the timeline impact. If AHPRA rejects your translation and asks for a NAATI version, your 90-day assessment clock resets from the point you resubmit your new translation. 

How LegalTranslators can help

At LegalTranslators, we work with MOJ-certified translators every day to produce certified translations that are valid for official use, and AHPRA submissions are a documented part of that. Here’s what you get:

• MOJ-licensed translators, satisfying AHPRA’s “approved by local authorities” requirement for UAE-based applicants
• Full document translations, no extracts.
• A signed statement of accuracy plus the translator’s ID and seal on every single page, AHPRA-compliant by default.
• Experience with the exact document types health professionals submit: degree certificates, transcripts, Good Standing letters, police clearance certificates, and identity documents

If you’re not sure which documents in your specific bundle need translating, upload your document for a free quote, and we’ll confirm before you submit anything.

The bottom line

If any part of your AHPRA application isn’t in English, a certified translation for AHPRA registration is non-negotiable. For applicants translating from the UAE, that translation needs to come from an MOJ-licensed translator to meet AHPRA’s requirements. 

Get the certified copy and the certified translation submitted together, make sure every page carries the translator’s seal, and you’ll avoid the delays that catch most applicants off guard.

Ready to get started? Order your certified translation from LegalTranslator.