Police Check Translation Australia
LEXIGO police check translations are accepted by:
- Department of Home Affairs — for all visa subclasses requiring character assessment
- AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) — for health professional registration
- State and territory Working with Children check authorities
- VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, CPA Australia — for skills assessment
- Australian employers — for pre-employment background screening
- State and territory police services — for character reference cross-checking
- Education departments — for teacher registration and school employment
- Aged care and disability providers — for NDIS worker screening
Why do I need my police check translated?
The Department of Home Affairs requires NAATI certified translations of police checks from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16. This is a mandatory part of the character requirement for virtually all Australian visa applications.
This requirement applies to skilled migration visas, partner visas, employer-sponsored visas, student visas, parent visas, and citizenship applications. The department will not process your application without certified translations of all required police checks.
What counts as a 'police check'?
Different countries issue character documents under different names — police clearance certificates, criminal record extracts, certificates of good conduct, judicial record certificates, and more. Regardless of what it's called in your country, if it's issued by a police or judicial authority and confirms your criminal record status, it qualifies. LEXIGO translates police checks from every country in the world.
Police checks from every country
Every country has its own system for issuing police clearances, and the documents vary enormously. A Chinese 无犯罪记录证明 is a simple single-page certificate, while an Italian Certificato del Casellario Giudiziale may run to several pages. Some countries issue digital certificates, others use stamped paper documents, and some require collection in person from a police station.
Our NAATI certified translators are experienced with police check formats from every country and understand the specific legal terminology used in criminal record documentation — charges, dispositions, sentencing terminology, and clearance statements.
We commonly translate police checks from China, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, South Africa, and every other country.
Common police check scenarios
Visa applications: The Department of Home Affairs requires police checks from every country you've lived in for 12+ months since age 16. Each must be NAATI certified translated into English.
Professional registration: AHPRA requires police checks for health practitioner registration. Teaching registration bodies require them for working in schools. These must be NAATI certified.
Employment screening: Australian employers in healthcare, aged care, childcare, education, and government regularly require translated overseas police checks as part of pre-employment screening.
Working with Children / NDIS checks: State-based screening bodies may require translated police checks from overseas as part of the screening process.
To get started, provide:
- A clear photo or scan of your police check document — all text and stamps must be legible
- All pages if the document is multi-page
- Include any apostille or authentication stamps
Important: Police checks are time-sensitive documents. Most Australian visa applications require the police check to have been issued within 12 months of your visa application date. Ensure your document is still within validity before ordering a translation.
Your certified police check translation includes:
- Full English translation of all content — including any offences, outcomes, or clearance statements
- NAATI certification stamp with the translator's credential number
- Translator's signed certification statement
- Translation of all official stamps, seals, and authority details
- Digital PDF delivered via email
- Optional hard copy via registered post
Whether your document is a clearance certificate, criminal record extract, or character reference from police, the translation will accurately reflect the original's content and intent.
Which countries do I need police checks from?
The Department of Home Affairs requires police checks from every country where you have lived for a cumulative total of 12 months or more since turning 16. This includes your country of citizenship, even if you no longer live there.
How recent does my police check need to be?
For most visa applications, your police check must have been issued within 12 months of your visa application date. We recommend checking the specific requirements for your visa subclass before ordering a translation.
How much does police check translation cost?
Police check translation starts from $69. Most single-page clearance certificates fall between $69 and $99. Longer criminal record extracts may cost more.
My police check shows offences — can you still translate it?
Yes. We translate the document exactly as issued, including any recorded offences, dispositions, and outcomes. The translation must accurately reflect the original content.
What if my country doesn't issue police checks?
Some countries issue certificates of good conduct, judicial record certificates, or statutory declarations instead of traditional police checks. We translate all of these. If you're unsure whether your document meets Australian requirements, contact us and we'll advise.
Can I get my police check translated urgently?
Yes. Express next-business-day service is available for police check translations.