What determines translation rates in Australia
Translation rates in Australia depend on multiple factors, such as language pair, document complexity, urgency, certification requirements, and volume. For example, a 3-page birth certificate translation might cost AUD $100, but a 3-page technical manual will cost AUD $200. Here is a breakdown of the different factors:
Language pair complexity
In Australia, common language combinations like French-to-English or German-to-English cost less because translators are more readily available. However, rare language pairs such as Icelandic-to-English or Latin-to-English will have premium rates due to limited specialist supply.
Document type and length
If you are translating a single-page birth certificate, the price will differ from that for a 50-page technical manual. Personal documents often use per-page rates, while business and technical content typically charges per word to account for variations in text complexity.
NAATI certification requirements
If you are submitting official documents to Australian government departments, universities, or courts that require certified translations, you must use a NAATI translator. These types of translators have credentials and provide certification that ensures compliance with quality standards and acceptance by Australian authorities.
Formatting complexity
Some documents have unique formats, stamps, seals, and other elements that increase complexity. For example, academic records often have tables that must be maintained. These formatting requirements mean translators spend more time on a project, thereby increasing costs. While a simple text document can cost AUD $60 per page, one that has complex tables, graphics, or specialised layouts can cost up to AUD $100 per page.
Turnaround time
Standard delivery for translation in Australia is typically 3-5 business days and uses regular rates. However, if you want an urgent turnaround within 12–24 hours, you should expect to pay an additional 25-50% of the standard rate.
Note: At Translayte, we have a 12-24-hour standard turnaround time for documents that are 100% accepted by Australian authorities. You can also request expedited delivery within 12 hours. Do you want an accurate translation fast? Request a free quote, with no document uploads required.
Typical price ranges by document type
Australian translation rates vary by document type, from AUD $60 to AUD $150 per page. Here's what you can expect to pay across common document categories:
Personal documents - AUD $65 – AUD $80 per page
This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, and driving licences. These documents follow standardised formats and NAATI translation requirements. They are also relatively straightforward to translate, especially for common language pairs.
Legal, academic, and business documents - AUD $0.20 – AUD $0.45 per word
This category includes contracts, court documents, academic transcripts, business correspondence, and financial statements. Pricing varies based on the complexity of the terminology and whether specialised legal or financial expertise is required.
Technical and medical translations - AUD $0.35– AUD $0.55 per word
These types of translation often need specialist subject-matter review. Documents under this translation category include medical records, pharmaceutical documentation, engineering specifications, and scientific research. The translator must also have domain expertise beyond language skills.
Note: Bulk and repeat work often qualify for 10-15% discounts when you're translating multiple documents or establishing an ongoing relationship with a provider.
Price comparison table
| | | |
Birth/Marriage/Driver's licence | | | NAATI-approved, standard format |
| | | Extra pages/complex layouts |
| | | Depends on volume, complexity |
| | | |
Important note: These translation rates are estimates for standard turnaround times, 3-5 business days. Actual quotes for your project will depend on your specific document word count, language pair, certification requirements, and timeline.
Translation costs across Australian cities
The cost of translation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide varies depending on many factors. In Sydney and other high-demand states, you can expect to pay about AUD $69 to AUD $90 per page for standard documents. In smaller cities and regional areas, prices range from AUD $50 to AUD $80 per page.
Factors such as demand, translation company expertise, language pair, and certification requirements will affect the final rates.
Translayte provides a flat rate across all locations in Australia. Whether you are ordering a birth certificate translation in Melbourne or Perth, you get the same base rates. Our pricing model helps eliminate pricing discrepancies and ensures you get value for your money.
Certified vs non-certified translations
When submitting documents in Australia, you will often need to provide a certified or non-certified translation. Each type of translation has its own features and use cases, which affect pricing.
A certified translation in Australia is an official translation of a document prepared by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), the only organisation in Australia authorised to issue professional credentials to translators and interpreters. It includes a formal statement of accuracy, the translator's stamp, their credentials, and NAATI number.
The NAATI translations are mandatory when submitting documents to:
Non-certified translations work for internal business use, personal reference, or situations where no official body requires verification. Unlike certified translation, a professional translator can provide these services. That means they don't have to be NAATi approved or provide any certification. However, they must be proficient in the language pair and understand the receiving agency requirements to guarantee acceptance. They cannot be used for visa applications, licence conversions, or academic enrolments.
Before paying for certified translation in Australia, check your translator's status on the official NAATI public register. Every legitimate NAATI-approved translator has a searchable credential number. This simple verification protects you from paying for worthless "certifications" from unaccredited providers.
How urgency & add-ons affect cost
Translation pricing for standard delivery timelines differs from that for urgent requests. Additional service requirements, such as physical copy delivery, can also influence final costs. Here are some things to note:
Urgent turnaround
If you need your document translated within 12–24 hours, there is an additional cost. This is because the translation company might need more than one translator on the project, and there may be other factors. Expedited service costs range:
These surcharges compensate translators for rearranging schedules, working extended hours, or declining other projects to prioritise your deadline. For a birth certificate, typically costing AUD $70 with standard delivery, 24-hour service might cost AUD $90 - AUD $100.
Standard add-on services that increase the total project cost
Notarisation: This adds a notary public's formal witnessing and seal to your certified translation, sometimes required for international document use. Notary fees typically range from $50 to $120, depending on document complexity and whether you need mobile notary service.
Certified hard copies: Paper copies of your translation with original translator stamps are available at an extra cost. The translator will include the costs of printing, binding, and courier delivery, which add AUD $20 - AUD $50 to your order.
How to get the best value for your translation budget
Send editable files whenever possible: Word documents or text-based PDFs cost less to translate than scanned images or low-quality photos, since translators can work directly with the text. Image files require manual retyping, adding labour time and potentially leading to transcription errors.
Prioritise accuracy and acceptance over lowest cost: The cheapest quote isn't always the best value if the translation contains errors, uses poor terminology, or comes from an unverified translator. Rejected translations that require redoing cost more in total than paying appropriate rates initially for quality-assured NAATI-accepted work.
Get certified & transparent quotes from Translayte
Translayte is a reputable company offering certified translation services in Australia. They simplify the entire process with transparent pricing, fast turnaround, and NAATI-approved translation quality that Australian authorities accept without question.
Why choose Translayte:
Certified translation from NAATI approved translator: Our NAATI-approved translators hold current credentials verified through the official registry. Every translation includes the translator's stamp, statement of accuracy, and NAATI number. This ensures your documents meet requirements for the Department of Home Affairs, state transport authorities, universities, courts, and all Australian government departments.
Translation in over 150 language pairs: We cover 150+ languages, including Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hindi, and rare languages that many agencies decline or charge premium rates for.
Local and global acceptance: Our translation is accepted for immigration, admissions, court, business, and other official purposes in Australia and globally. Regardless of your location, we have local translators who understand state-specific requirements.
Online ordering: You can order your translation on our website by uploading your documents, selecting the required certification, and paying the applicable fees. This simple online ordering process eliminates phone calls and office visits. Your certified translation arrives via email, ready for immediate use or printing.
Transparent pricing: Unlike other translation services, you can see the cost of your documents in real time. You don't have to upload documents or enter an email. Simply visit our quotes page, select the language pair, number of pages, and other requirements to see the cost.
Whether you need a single birth certificate translated for immigration or various business documents for international expansion, Translayte delivers NAATI-accepted quality at competitive rates.
