My Journey to Becoming a NAATI-Certified Translator and Interpreter
- Inés Bellesi
- Oct 25
- 4 min read
When I arrived in Australia in 2020 on a Work and Holiday visa, I didn’t have a plan. I was curious, keen to travel, and wanted to put my English to the test.
Practising my profession was not on my immediate agenda.
What began as an adventure with few expectations gradually turned into a path of professional growth.
Having my Bachelor of Translation recognised was the first step in reinventing my career in a new country.
What Does It Mean to Have a Qualification Recognised in Australia?
Having your qualification recognised means validating your studies and professional experience from another country. It is not just about translating documents: a competent authority must officially acknowledge your professional capacity.
If you are a translator or interpreter, that authority is the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). This recognition allows you to practise your profession anywhere in Australia and is also a requirement for certain skilled work visas, such as subclass 190.
My Motivation and How I Started
By 2022, my time in Australia was coming to an end, and I wanted to give my travels a symbolic closure before returning home. I wanted that closure to have both personal and professional value. Gaining NAATI certification was my way of putting a capstone on this stage of my life.
Interestingly, this process eventually opened doors for me to stay longer in the country, but that is another story I will share in a future post about the Skilled Work visa, subclass 491.
Requirements for Enrolling in NAATI Certification Exams
To start the accreditation process, several requirements must be met. Here is how I did it:
Formal Training
Depending on the credential you are seeking, you may need a diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in translation or interpreting. In my case, I hold a Bachelor of Translation from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) and submitted a NAATI-certified translation of my academic transcript as part of my application.
Language Proficiency
NAATI requires an adequate level of English to work as a translator or interpreter. This can be demonstrated if your university studies were conducted in English or through formal exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or CAE. I submitted my academic transcript along with a breakdown of course hours, showing which subjects were taught in English.
Ethical Competency
NAATI-accredited translators and interpreters are bound by the AUSIT Code of Ethics. To demonstrate my understanding of the Code and its practical application, I completed a preparation module on NAATI Learn and sat the corresponding exam.
Intercultural Competency
NAATI assesses your ability to understand how language and culture interact, as well as to identify culturally relevant information and apply it correctly in translation or interpretation. To meet this requirement, I completed a preparation module on NAATI Learn and sat the relevant exam.
NAATI Certification Tests
All applicants must sit the exams corresponding to the credential they are seeking.
Certified Translator Test
Format: on line.
Tasks: Two translations of non-specialised texts (around 250 words each) and one translation revision (approximately 250 words).
Text Type: Real-world documents aimed at educated but non-expert readers, e.g., government leaflets or health information sheets.
Duration: Up to 3.5 hours.
Resources: Only approved resources are permitted, such as dictionaries, glossaries, and terminological databases.
Fee: 605 AUD.
Certified Provisional Interpreter Test
Format: Online or in person.
Tasks: Two face-to-face or video-remote dialogues of approximately 10 minutes each and one telephone dialogue of about 10 minutes.
Situations: Real-life scenarios experienced by non-native English speakers in Australia, e.g., consultations on government services or meetings between parents and teachers.
Total Duration: Up to 1.5 hours.
Brief: NAATI provides a summary three days in advance with contextual information for each dialogue.
Fee: 660 AUD.
Test Results
Once you have completed your certification exam, NAATI will email the results within four to six weeks of the exam date.
If successful, you will receive your credential in PDF format by email, as well as a postal copy:
If unsuccessful, NAATI will email you indicating which assessment criteria were not met. They do not provide a detailed breakdown of errors but do provide guidance on how to retake the exam or submit a review request if required.
Benefits of Having Your Translator Qualification Recognised in Australia
Appear in NAATI’s online directory, facilitating direct client access.
Access greater employment opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
Fulfil an essential requirement for certain visas.
Join a professional community recognised internationally.
Tips if You Are Just Starting
Here are some practical tips I wish I had known at the beginning:
Read everything directly on the NAATI website. Terms and conditions change over time
Prepare your documentation well in advance. Collecting documents and obtaining certified translations can take weeks or months
Ask if you have questions. NAATI generally responds clearly and helpfully
Be patient. It takes time, but in the end, it is worth it.
About Me
I am a NAATI-Certified Translator and Interpreter trained at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina.
With nearly ten years of experience, I provide certified and technical translations and interpreting services in academic, legal, and medical settings, for both direct clients and agencies. I collaborate with public bodies, educational institutions, and companies operating in multicultural environments.
Passionate about language and intercultural communication, I enjoy sharing tools, learnings, and experiences with colleagues and students. I consider professional solidarity essential in an industry where most work independently, and I value collaboration as a way to strengthen the practice and services offered to the community.
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