Chinese translation services
中文LEXIGO provides NAATI certified Chinese translation across Australia, in Simplified and Traditional characters, for Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. We translate Chinese to English and English to Chinese for government, health, education and business, and certify birth certificates, hukou records, degrees and driver licences for Home Affairs and state road authorities. Standard documents are delivered in NAATI Essential 3 to 5 business days, NAATI Economy 1 to 3 business days or NAATI Express within 48 business hours.
Chinese translation for individuals, business and government
Personal documents
NAATI certified Chinese translation of certificates, licences and transcripts.
From $69.90 + GST per document
Express within 48 business hours
Order online →Business and enterprise
Websites, marketing and transcreation in Chinese.
ISO 27001 certified, with an API
Request a quote →Government and health
Community review of Chinese materials before release.
NAATI Endorsed LSP950085, 50+ departments
Talk to our team →
Trusted by
Looking for a Chinese translator? LEXIGO translates Chinese to English and English to Chinese, in Simplified or Traditional characters, for individuals, businesses and government across Australia. Every translation is done by a NAATI certified translator working into their first language, then independently reviewed before release.
The first decision is the script. Simplified Chinese is read in mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia, and by most Mandarin speakers in Australia. Traditional Chinese is read in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, and by most Cantonese speakers. A personal document only needs the script of the person reading it. A public campaign usually needs both.
Chinese is the largest language community in Australia after English. The 2021 Census counted 678,856 people who speak Mandarin at home and 289,596 who speak Cantonese. Most live in Sydney and Melbourne, with growing communities in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Mandarin and Cantonese are spoken varieties. Written Chinese is largely shared, so a Mandarin speaker and a Cantonese speaker can read the same text. Voice-over and subtitles are different: they need the right spoken variety for the audience. Tell us who you need to reach and we will recommend the script and variety.
What makes Chinese translation different?
Simplified or Traditional
Choose the script by reader, not by language name. Mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia read Simplified. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau read Traditional. Using the wrong script for an audience signals that the content was not written for them.
Regional vocabulary
Vocabulary and phrasing differ between mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, even where the characters are the same. Translators are briefed on the target region so the text reads as local.
Text contraction
Chinese text usually runs 30 to 40 percent shorter than the English source. Layouts designed for English can look sparse in Chinese, so print and web designs should be checked once the translation is in place.
Names on certified documents
Names on certified translations follow the spelling in the person's passport or visa, so records match across Home Affairs, road authorities and universities.
Spoken variety for audio and video
Voice-over and subtitles need the spoken variety the audience uses: Mandarin for most mainland Chinese Australians, Cantonese for many from Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Frequently asked questions about Chinese translation
Should I translate into Simplified or Traditional Chinese?
Simplified Chinese reaches readers from mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia. Traditional Chinese reaches Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. In Australia, Mandarin speakers mostly read Simplified and Cantonese speakers mostly read Traditional, so many government and health campaigns need both versions.
Is a NAATI certified Chinese translation accepted by Home Affairs?
Yes. Home Affairs, state road authorities, universities and AHPRA accept NAATI certified translations of Chinese documents, including birth certificates, hukou records, degrees and police clearance certificates. Each translation carries the translator's NAATI stamp and certification statement.
How much does Chinese translation cost?
NAATI certified translation of personal documents starts from $69.90 + GST per document. Websites, campaigns and longer documents are quoted on word count, subject matter and turnaround. Upload your file for a free quote.
How long does Chinese translation take?
Standard personal documents are delivered in NAATI Essential 3 to 5 business days, NAATI Economy 1 to 3 business days or NAATI Express within 48 business hours. For urgent documents, NAATI Express is within 48 business hours. Longer documents and campaigns are scheduled when we quote.
Do Mandarin and Cantonese use the same written Chinese?
Largely, yes. Written Chinese is shared across spoken varieties, so the main choice for a document is the script: Simplified or Traditional. The spoken variety matters for voice-over and subtitles.
Can you translate my Chinese driver licence for an Australian licence?
Yes. State road authorities need a NAATI certified translation of a Chinese driver licence before they will issue a local licence or accept it for driving. We translate the licence and certify it in the format the relevant authority asks for.