Current Students

Certification & translation of documents

Learn about requirements for the certification and translation of your documents for admission and enrolment.

Certification
Translation
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Certification of documents

In most cases, UNSW Sydney does not require documents to be formally certified in support of coursework applications for admission and enrolment.

Please do not send your original documents to us, as UNSW retains the documents that are submitted and they will not be returned to you. However, you must be prepared to present your original documents to UNSW for inspection post-enrolment if requested, so you will need to bring your original documents with you to Australia.

UNSW conducts document verification through back-to-source checks with applicants’ home institutions. If verification is not possible, applicants must bring their original documents to the UNSW Admissions office. Additionally, applicants may be asked to sign a consent form authorising back-to-source checks with their home institution. 

If any fraudulent documents are discovered, action may be taken which can result in the withdrawal of an offer or the termination of an enrolment. The University does not tolerate fraudulent documents and we retain the right to withhold your graduation or cancel your testamur if fraud is discovered during or after your studies at UNSW.

Translation of documents

If your official documents are not in English, you must supply copies of the following documents:

  1. The original language document
  2. A complete English translation of the original language document. 

Your documents must be translated by one of the following:

  • An interstate office of the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural New South Wales. Call 1300 651 500 (toll-free) or visit multicultural.nsw.gov.au
  • A translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). The translator must be accredited as at least a 'professional translator'. Translated documents must display the official NAATI stamp provided to qualified translators; the stamp shows the level of accreditation and the direction in which they are accredited to translate. A list of NAATI-accredited translators in Australia and some overseas locations is available at www.naati.com.au or call (02) 9267 1357.
  • The issuing institution where study was undertaken
  • An Australian diplomatic mission
  • A sworn translator approved by the Australian diplomatic missions in Belgium, France, Indonesia, Switzerland, Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Peru or Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).  
  • The Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs or a local court or government agency that offers a translation service in the applicant's home country. For example, the Federal Public Justice in Belgium.
  • The Notary Public Office, which issues bound booklets in both Chinese and English for Chinese degrees.
  • Any certified translator in Vietnam may also translate but the translation must be notarised by a Ward Justice Office or Commune Justice Office anywhere in the country and stamped with their Phòng Tư pháp seal. 

Important note

Each translation must be accompanied by a statement which states “The translated text in this document is an accurate and complete translation of the original document” and should also contain:

  • The translator’s signature
  • The translator's printed name
  • Membership of the relevant accredited translation body (and membership number if applicable) 
  • The date the statement is made.

See also

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