How long is a NAATI translation valid? Does it expire?
The NAATI translation itself never expires, but Home Affairs and state BDM offices reject source documents older than 3–12 months (police checks 3 months, some birth certificates 3 years). When the source expires, you re-issue and re-translate.
In-depth Answer
A common confusion: people think a NAATI translation expires with the translator's 3-year recertification cycle — it doesn't.
NAATI recertifies the translator's credential every 3 years; a translation stamped before recertification remains valid indefinitely.
What expires is the source document: (a) Thai/AFP police checks = 3 months from issue, (b) NSW BDM birth certificates = 12 months, VIC/QLD = 3 years, (c) bank statements/payslips = 3 months, (d) medical clearances = 12 months.
If your police check is four months old at lodgement, you re-issue and re-translate — no shortcut.
NYC tip: keep the NAATI PDF forever, and when a new source is issued, we re-produce the translation at 'update rate' (50% of full price) within 24 hours.
Related questions
Documents most Australia visa applicants translate into English
Pick the document and the hub nearest you — MoJ-sworn + MFA-stamped here, then layered with the NAATI seal for use in Australia.
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