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Accreditation

DEFINITION
The process of certifying that a translator or interpreter has met specific professional standards. In Australia, NAATI is the body responsible for accrediting translation professionals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Accreditation in the Australian translation context refers primarily to the credentialling system administered by NAATI — the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. NAATI is the only body in Australia that issues credentials for translators and interpreters, making it the definitive standard for professional competency in the field.

NAATI transitioned from an accreditation model to a certification model in 2018, though the term 'accreditation' remains widely used in the industry. Under the current system, translators and interpreters must pass rigorous testing to earn NAATI certification at various levels, including Certified Translator, Certified Provisional Translator, and Recognised Practising Translator.

NAATI certification is often a requirement for translation work in government, legal, immigration, and healthcare contexts. Many Australian government agencies specify NAATI-certified translators in their procurement requirements, and certified translations carry legal standing for immigration and court proceedings.

Beyond NAATI, accreditation can also refer to organisational certifications such as ISO 17100 (translation service quality), ISO 9001 (quality management systems), and ISO 27001 (information security management). These certifications are awarded to translation companies rather than individual translators and demonstrate systematic quality management across the organisation.

LEXIGO holds triple ISO certification and works exclusively with NAATI-accredited translators for certified translation work, providing clients with quality assurance at both the individual and organisational level.

WHY IT MATTERS

Accreditation directly affects the legal standing and reliability of your translations. Using a non-accredited translator for official documents can result in rejected applications, legal complications, or miscommunication with serious consequences. For government and enterprise clients, specifying accredited translators and certified translation providers is a risk management essential.

Understanding the difference between individual accreditation (NAATI) and organisational certification (ISO) helps procurement professionals make informed decisions when selecting translation partners.

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