Skills Assessment Authority
NAATI
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
NAATI assesses translators and interpreters for Australian skilled migration, requiring certification obtained through testing rather than a documentary review alone. Visa Plan Lawyers represents applicants through the NAATI assessment and advises on the certification and sponsorship requirements.
Assessment Fees
$500 AUD
Migration assessment of educational qualifications and skilled employment, fee schedule 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, GST inclusive. Certification testing fees are separate.
Fees as published by NAATI, checked September 2026
Processing Time
Not published by NAATI; confirm current processing times at the official website before applying.
Official Website
www.naati.com.auOccupations assessed by NAATI
Translator (ANZSCO 272413) and Interpreter (ANZSCO 272412), the occupations assessed by NAATI.
Key Occupations
Translator, Interpreter.
Always verify the designated assessing authority for your specific ANZSCO occupation code on the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list before applying.
Assessment requirements
Certification, not pure documentary review
The migration skills assessment is not a documentary review alone. A skills assessment requires NAATI certification obtained through testing, and recognised-practising credentials are not eligible for migration purposes.
Two separate fees
The $500 documentary assessment of educational qualifications and skilled employment is separate from, and additional to, the certification testing fees. Applicants should budget for both the assessment and the relevant certification tests.
Sponsorship or nomination gateway
Migration assessment is generally open only to applicants who are employer sponsored or state or territory nominated. Applicants should confirm that their visa pathway meets this gateway before applying.
Validity
Assessments are generally valid for three years. Validity is extended on successful recertification with NAATI.
How NAATI assesses
The migration assessment is a paper process rather than a portal one. Applicants complete the Assessment of Educational Qualifications and Skilled Employment form and email it with supporting documents to NAATI; the documentation list is on the form itself. For skilled employment points NAATI applies the Department of Home Affairs rule that employment must comprise at least 20 hours per week, and an overseas translating or interpreting qualification is assessed against the equivalent Australian level. The expiry date of the assessment is printed on the outcome letter NAATI issues.
Applicants who only need language points rather than a skills assessment have a separate route. The Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test assesses community-level communication between English and another language and is not a professional certification, so passing it does not qualify a person to work as a translator or interpreter. The test is delivered online at a fee of $814, uses two pre-recorded dialogues of about 300 words each, and requires a score of 63 or more out of 90 with at least 29 marks in each dialogue. Credentials issued from 9 August 2022 carry a five-year validity period.
Visa Plan Lawyers and NAATI assessments
Translators and interpreters are certified through NAATI testing, and certification and skills assessment are related but not identical steps. Visa Plan Lawyers confirms which NAATI outcome the nominated occupation requires and advises on the visa options a positive assessment opens.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: September 2026 · Assessment fee and processing time information is approximate and subject to change. Always verify current fees and processing times directly with NAATI at https://www.naati.com.au before applying. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your circumstances.