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How to Become a NAATI Certified Interpreter or Translator

Updated 9 October 2026 · facts checked against NAATI and Home Affairs pages on 7 September 2026

Quick answer: NAATI describes three pillars of certification. First, complete formal training in interpreting or translation and meet the prerequisites: English proficiency, ethical competency and intercultural competency. Second, pass a NAATI certification test, such as the Certified Provisional Interpreter test ($660) or the Certified Translator test ($605). Third, recertify every three years. Passing the CCL does not count towards any of this.

On this page
  1. First, the CCL is not the start of this path
  2. Step 1: choose the credential
  3. Step 2: training and prerequisites
  4. Step 3: apply in myNAATI
  5. Step 4: sit the test
  6. Step 5: recertify every three years
  7. Being found once you are certified
  8. If you only need the 5 points
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. Sources

If you are here because of the CCL test for migration points, that is a different credential with a different purpose. Practise a CCL dialogue free to see where you stand on that one.

First, the CCL is not the start of this path

Many people meet NAATI through the Credentialed Community Language test, so it is worth being clear. NAATI states that the CCL test is not a professional certification: if you pass the CCL test, you are not certified to work as an interpreter or a translator. It earns migration points and nothing more.

Professional certification sits in NAATI's Certification System. NAATI describes itself as the national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters, and says that holding NAATI certification (or recognition) means you meet the standard expected of translators and interpreters in the community.

There is a family resemblance, though. The entry-level interpreting test assesses interpreting dialogues between an English speaker and a speaker of another language, which is the format CCL candidates already know from practice. The difference is the bar, the training requirement and the fact that real clients will rely on you. The what is NAATI guide sets out how the two systems fit together.

Step 1: choose the credential

NAATI's Certification System offers eight different credentials for translators and interpreters. They fall into two broad groups: certification, which means sitting a test with NAATI, and Recognised Practising, where no test exists in your language pair and NAATI instead looks at evidence of your work practice.

The tested credentials, with what NAATI assesses and the 2026-2027 test fees:

Credential Test fee What NAATI assesses
Certified Translator $605 per direction Translation of non-specialised texts and revision of a non-specialised translation
Certified Provisional Interpreter $660 Dialogue interpreting face-to-face (or video) and remote (telephone), with live role-players
Certified Interpreter $440, plus the CPI test Sight translation and monologue interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous)
Certified Specialist Health or Legal Interpreter $198 and $220 A knowledge test and an interpreting test in that domain
Certified Conference Interpreter $913 per direction Monologues, consecutive and simultaneous, including booth interpreting

For most people the starting points are Certified Translator, which NAATI says is currently the only certification available for translators, and Certified Provisional Interpreter, the entry level generalist interpreting test. NAATI notes that for some languages Certified Provisional Interpreter is the highest certification available. Which tests run in your language is listed on each credential's page.

Step 2: training and prerequisites

You must complete formal training before applying to NAATI. Taking the Certified Provisional Interpreter test as the example, NAATI lists four prerequisite pathways.

  1. A NAATI endorsed qualification. Completed a NAATI endorsed interpreting qualification no more than three years before applying, at Diploma or higher (AQF level 5 or comparable).
  2. A qualification NAATI has not endorsed, including from overseas. Diploma or higher, or an endorsed qualification completed more than three years before applying. You also submit evidence of your English proficiency, and NAATI assesses whether you have met its ethical and intercultural competency requirements.
  3. An existing NAATI interpreting credential in another language. If you already hold one, you have already met the training, English proficiency, ethical and intercultural competency requirements.
  4. AQF units, such as a Skill Set Course. NAATI describes these as 40-hour courses that it recognises as providing foundational training required to work as an interpreter.

The Certified Translator and Certified Interpreter tests follow the same pattern, but the qualification level is higher: Advanced Diploma or higher, AQF level 6 or comparable.

If NAATI finds you have not met the ethical or intercultural requirement, it invites you to sit the Ethical Competency test, the Intercultural Competency test, or both. Each is $242 on the current fee schedule.

Step 3: apply in myNAATI

Applications go through myNAATI. NAATI's instructions are to log in, go to the "Submit an application" icon on the homepage, then to your chosen credential. If you already hold a NAATI credential, you use the "Additional certifications" icon instead. NAATI assesses the application against the pathway you chose before you can pick a test date.

The myNAATI login guide covers signing in and the account itself.

Step 4: sit the test

Delivery depends on the test. NAATI states that all Certified Translator tests are delivered online only. The Certified Provisional Interpreter test is listed as online or in person, and the Certified Interpreter test as online.

To become a Certified Interpreter in a spoken language you pass two tests: the Certified Provisional Interpreter test and the Certified Interpreter test. NAATI says these can be completed in any order, but the Certified Interpreter credential is only issued once you pass both.

If you want your result reviewed, a certification test review costs $275 per application on the current fee schedule.

Step 5: recertify every three years

This is the part many people miss. NAATI states that all NAATI credentials will expire after the initial three years. To keep yours, you recertify by demonstrating that you are maintaining your skills and language through ongoing professional development, with evidence of work practice.

NAATI has widened the recertification window: you can apply up to 1 year before your credential expiry date, and up to 1 year after it. Once the expiry date has passed, your credential is considered expired until a recertification application is lodged.

That is a real difference from the CCL. A CCL result is simply valid for a fixed period and then you sit the test again, as the CCL validity guide explains. A certified practitioner keeps the credential alive by working and learning.

Being found once you are certified

Certified practitioners can appear in NAATI's online directory, which is where people go to find a certified translator or interpreter; the NAATI translation guide shows how clients use it. NAATI's Practitioner Hub lists job and professional development opportunities for certified practitioners. NAATI does not publish pay rates on these pages, so be wary of any figure quoted without a source.

If you only need the 5 points

If your goal is permanent residency rather than a career, you do not need any of the above. The CCL test is the credential for the community language points, it has no training prerequisites, and it is a single test of two dialogues. Start with the 5 points guide and the list of NAATI test types and fees.

For CCL practice, our dialogues are written to the CCL specification in 50 languages, and your first full dialogue is AI-marked free. The score is our model's estimate, not a NAATI result. See the languages we cover and the Australian terms glossary that trips up most candidates.

Practise a CCL dialogue now

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a NAATI certified interpreter?

Complete formal training in interpreting and meet NAATI's prerequisites (English proficiency, ethical competency and intercultural competency), then pass the Certified Provisional Interpreter test. To become a Certified Interpreter you must pass both the Certified Provisional Interpreter test and the Certified Interpreter test.

What is a NAATI certified translator?

A Certified Translator has passed NAATI's Certified Translator test, which NAATI describes as the highest credential available for translators under the Certification System. Certified Translators can work with complex but non-specialised content in most situations.

Does passing the NAATI CCL make me an interpreter?

No. NAATI states that the CCL test is not a professional certification, and that if you pass it you are not certified to work as an interpreter or a translator. It is a migration-points credential.

How much does the NAATI interpreter test cost?

On NAATI's 2026-2027 fee schedule the Certified Provisional Interpreter test is $660 and the Certified Interpreter test for spoken languages is $440. A spoken-language Certified Interpreter has to pass both tests.

Do I need a qualification to sit a NAATI certification test?

You must complete formal training in interpreting or translation before applying. NAATI lists four prerequisite pathways, from a NAATI endorsed qualification to AQF units such as a 40-hour Skill Set Course, and assesses your application against them.

How long does NAATI certification last?

NAATI states that all NAATI credentials expire after the initial three years. To keep yours, you recertify by showing evidence of work practice and ongoing professional development.

Sources

Facts checked against NAATI pages on 7 September and 8 October 2026.

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