Government Translation

Government translation services encompass the translation of documents, communications, and materials produced by or for government agencies at federal, state, and local levels. This includes policy documents, public information campaigns, forms and applications, regulatory documents, legislation and parliamentary materials, procurement documents, community engagement materials, and correspondence with citizens from CALD backgrounds.

Government translation in Australia operates within a specific framework of requirements. NAATI-certified translators are typically required for official documents. ISO certification (particularly ISO 17100 and ISO 9001) is increasingly specified in government procurement requirements. Compliance with the Australian Government's Language Services Policy and Multicultural Access and Equity Policy frameworks is expected. And content must be accessible and culturally appropriate for diverse community audiences.

Government translation requires particular sensitivity to the audience. Public-facing content must be clear, accessible, and culturally appropriate, often requiring plain language approaches that avoid bureaucratic jargon. Legal and regulatory content must be precise and maintain the legal effect of the original. And community engagement materials must reflect genuine cultural understanding rather than surface-level translation.

Many government agencies manage translation across multiple departments, creating challenges around consistency, cost management, and quality assurance that benefit from a centralised or coordinated approach.

LEXIGO is an established provider of government translation services, holding triple ISO certification and working with NAATI-accredited translators across all government content types. Our understanding of government procurement requirements and compliance frameworks ensures seamless delivery for public sector clients.

Government has a responsibility to communicate effectively with all residents, regardless of language background. In multicultural Australia, this means providing accessible, culturally appropriate information in community languages. Failure to do so results in reduced access to services, poorer outcomes for CALD communities, and non-compliance with access and equity obligations.

For government agencies, working with a translation provider that understands the specific compliance, quality, and cultural requirements of public sector translation ensures that community communications are both effective and accountable.