Quick Certified Translation Guide for Malaysia <> Australia (2025)
1. Procedure
1.1 All documents not in English must be translated into English.
1.2 For documents issued in Malaysia, the High Commission of Australia in Malaysia accepts the following translation stamps:
(i) Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia (ITBM);
(ii) Malaysian Translators Association (MTA) [1]; or
(iii) National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) [2].
1.3 MYLegalTrans’ team is certified by:
(i) ITBM;
(ii) MTA; and
(iii) NAATI.
MTA stamp is recommended as it is the most affordable and efficient.
1.4 The Australian authorities require Certified Translation with the following details:
(i) the translator’s identification number or seal or both on every page;
(ii) the translator’s printed name, address, telephone number, and signature on the Certificate of Translation (CoT); and
(iii) the source document used to prepare the translation [3].
2. FAQs
2.1 What does Certified Translation mean? How is it different from non-certified translation?
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) is the only organisation in Australia to issue professional credentials, or certification, to translators and interpreters. The members of NAATI are the nine ministers who are responsible for multicultural affairs and/or citizenship in the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments [4].
For documents issued in Malaysia, the Australian government also accepts Certified Translation provided by one of the following Malaysian statutory organisations:
(i) ITBM, formerly known as the Malaysian National Institute of Translation (ITNM), established based on the approval of a cabinet meeting in 1992 following a memorandum from the Minister of Education [5]. As a limited company, its share capital is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance and its administration is managed by the Ministry of Education [6].
(ii) MTA, a voluntary professional body established under the auspices of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), is the sole Malaysian member of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) [7], an international organisation which has consultative status with UNESCO [8]. DBP is established based on the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 and its administration is managed by the Ministry of Education [9].
A translation is considered certified when it is registered with NAATI, ITBM, or MTA.
2.2 Why does Certified Translation take so long even for documents with just a few words?
For the Australian authorities, before certification, the translation goes through the following processes:
(i) Text extraction
The translation process begins with text extraction and formatting by a DTP specialist, with inquiries about untranslatable or unclear text.
(ii) Translation
Translations are handled by a certified translator.
(iii) First Review
The first review is conducted by a certified translator.
(iv) DTP & Formatting
DTP and formatting ensures the translated document mirrors the original.
(v) Final Review & Certificate of Translation
A final review is done by a certified translator, with an NAATI/ITBM/MTA stamp applied.
The translation is then recorded by the stamping organisation.
2.3 Can I submit a softcopy or photocopy of the Certified Translation to the Australian authorities?
Yes. Most Australian authorities accept softcopy Certified Translation.
Resources:
[1] Australian High Commission, Malaysia. "Child born in Malaysia to Australian Parents." https://malaysia.highcommission.gov.au/klpr/born_in_msia.html.
[2] Department of Home Affairs, Australian Government. (n.d.). “Language services.” https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/settle-in-australia/language-services.
[3] Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australian Government. (n.d.). “Translating documents.” https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Applying-for-registration/Translating-Documents.aspx.
[4] NAATI. (2021). Annual report 2020-2021. https://www.naati.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Annual-Report-2020-2021.pdf.
[5] OIC Today. (n.d.). An interview with Sakri Bin Abdullah: Chief Executive Officer of ITBM. https://www.oictoday.biz/interview-details.php?id=517/an-interview-with-sakri-bin-abdullah-sakri-bin-abdullah.
[6] Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia. (n.d.). Organisational structure. https://www.itbm.com.my/en/organisasi.
[7] International Federation of Translators. (n.d.). Members directory: Malaysia. https://en.fit-ift.org/members-directory/?country=MY.
[8] UNESCO Archives. (n.d.). International Federation of Translators. https://atom.archives.unesco.org/international-federation-of-translators.
[9] Section 4, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 (Revised in 1978). https://lamanweb.dbp.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Akta-213-Akta-Dewan-Bahasa-dan-Pustaka-Disemak-1973.pdf