Which Australian states accept a NAATI translation for an overseas licence?
To transfer an overseas driver licence that is not in English, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT accept an English translation by a NAATI translator, each with its own conditions. New South Wales does not: for a licence transfer it only accepts the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service, Multicultural NSW and, for licences only, the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney. The Northern Territory asks for an official translation by an "authorised translator" without naming NAATI, so check with the MVR first. To simply drive as a visitor, states ask you to carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit with your licence.
NAATI licence translation rules by state and territory
| State or territory | NAATI translation accepted for a licence transfer? | Also accepted | Conditions to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria (VicRoads) | Yes, "any NAATI accredited translator" | The country's consulate in Australia | Bring the translation with your original licence |
| Queensland (TMR) | Yes, an "approved NAATI translator" | — | All documents must be originals: photocopies and certified copies are not accepted |
| Western Australia (DTMI) | Yes, NAATI certified translators, including Recognised Practising | Tertiary qualified translators; Permanent Pre-2007 NAATI Accredited Practitioners listed by OMI; Home Affairs Free Translating Service (eligible people); consulates only if NAATI or tertiary translators do not cover the language | Translations by NAATI accredited translators dated after 1 January 2018 are not accepted |
| South Australia | Yes, a "NAATI approved translator" | A consulate in Australia, on official letterhead | Original document, either stamped and signed by the translator or with a NAATI digital stamp (QR code) |
| Tasmania (Service Tasmania) | Yes, "a NAATI certified translator" | An International Driving Permit | Only needed if the licence is not in English |
| ACT (Access Canberra) | Yes, "a translator who is certified by NAATI" | An embassy or consulate | Official English translation |
| New South Wales | No | Home Affairs Free Translating Service; Multicultural NSW; for licences only: the Korean Consulate-General and TECO Sydney | Original translation, no photocopies. "Translations obtained through any other means are not acceptable." |
| Northern Territory (MVR) | Not stated: "an authorised translator" | An International Driving Permit; an original letter from the licensing authority | Check with the MVR (mvr@nt.gov.au, 1300 654 628) before ordering |
The licensing authority always makes the final decision.
Driving and transferring are two different rules
Driving on your overseas licence. Visitors and new residents can usually drive on a current overseas licence for a limited time. If the licence is not in English, carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit with it. In NSW, for example, the rule is "an English translation, or an International Driving Permit", without restricting who translates. See licence translation for visitors and car hire.
Transferring to an Australian licence. Once you live in a state, you must convert your licence within a set time, and this is where the rules in the table apply. Each state also decides whether you need to pass tests, depending on the country that issued your licence.
State-by-state details
Victoria
VicRoads says that if your licence is not in English, "you must have it translated by any NAATI accredited translator or the country's consulate in Australia". If you stay less than 6 months, you can drive with your overseas licence as long as it is valid and in English or translated. See VicRoads licence translation.
Queensland
To transfer an overseas licence, Queensland asks for "a recognised English translation (if the licence is not in English) from an approved National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) translator". It also states that all documents must be originals and that photocopies and certified copies are not acceptable. See Queensland licence translation.
Western Australia
WA's Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) accepts translations by NAATI certified translators, including Recognised Practising. It no longer accepts translations by NAATI accredited translators dated after 1 January 2018, unless the translator holds Permanent Pre-2007 NAATI Accreditation and is listed on the Office of Multicultural Interests website. Licences that are written in two languages, English and another one, also need a translation. From 31 October 2026, DTMI applies transfer arrangements to newly recognised jurisdictions, including South Korea and Taiwan. See WA licence translation.
South Australia
SA asks for an original translation by a NAATI approved translator, either stamped and signed by the translator or carrying a NAATI digital stamp with a QR code. A consulate translation on official letterhead is also accepted. See South Australia licence translation.
Tasmania
Service Tasmania asks you to provide your overseas licence "and international driving permit, or English translation by a NAATI certified translator, if necessary".
Australian Capital Territory
Access Canberra asks for an official English translation from an embassy or consulate, or from a translator certified by NAATI.
New South Wales
NSW is the exception. For a licence transfer, it accepts translations only from the Home Affairs Free Translating Service and Multicultural NSW, and for driver licences also from the Korean Consulate-General and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney. A private NAATI translation is not accepted for the transfer. Read what works for a NSW licence transfer.
Northern Territory
The NT asks for an International Driving Permit or an "official translation of the overseas licence into English by an authorised translator", without naming NAATI. You must transfer your licence within 3 months of living in the NT. Ask the MVR which translators it accepts before you order.
NAATI "certified" or "accredited": why it matters in WA
NAATI replaced accreditation with certification in 2018. Most authorities still say "accredited" in their wording and accept both, but WA's DTMI draws the line: translations by accredited translators dated after 1 January 2018 are refused, with one exception for Permanent Pre-2007 accreditations. If you are transferring a licence in WA, check that your translator holds NAATI certification.
What a licence translation includes
A complete translation covers both sides of the licence: your name, date of birth, licence number, issue and expiry dates, vehicle classes and any conditions. It ends with the translator's certification statement, name and NAATI practitioner number, and their stamp, signed or digital.
Is there a free option?
The Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service translates some personal documents for free for eligible permanent residents and certain visa holders. It is accepted in NSW and WA. If you are eligible and not in a hurry, it is worth checking first.
FAQ
Can I use a NAATI translation to transfer my licence in NSW?
No. For a licence transfer, NSW only accepts translations from the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service and Multicultural NSW, and for driver licences also from the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney. Translations obtained any other way are not accepted. To drive in NSW as a visitor, any English translation or an International Driving Permit can be carried with your licence.
Does VicRoads accept a NAATI translation?
Yes. VicRoads says a licence that is not in English must be translated by a NAATI accredited translator or the country's consulate in Australia.
Is a NAATI digital stamp accepted?
South Australia states it explicitly, as an alternative to a translation stamped and signed by the translator. Queensland asks for original documents only, so check with the Department of Transport and Main Roads before relying on a printed PDF.
My licence was translated by a NAATI accredited translator in 2019. Is that valid in WA?
No. WA's DTMI does not accept translations by an accredited translator dated after 1 January 2018, except translators holding Permanent Pre-2007 NAATI Accreditation listed on the Office of Multicultural Interests website. Translations by NAATI certified translators are accepted.
Do I need a translation if I have an International Driving Permit?
To drive as a visitor, states accept an International Driving Permit instead of a translation. To transfer your licence, check the state's rule. Tasmania, for example, lists an International Driving Permit or a NAATI translation.
Sources
- VicRoads, Convert overseas licence
- Queensland Government, Transferring to a Queensland driver licence (updated 31 October 2026)
- Western Australia DTMI, Transfer a licence from a recognised jurisdiction
- Western Australia DTMI, Translating and interpreting
- Western Australia DTMI, Changes to overseas driver's licence recognition from 31 October 2026
- SA.GOV.AU, Transfer your overseas driver's licence (updated 29 October 2026)
- Service Tasmania, Convert an overseas driver licence (updated 1 July 2026)
- NSW Government, Moving your overseas licence to NSW, Prepare your application
- NSW Government, Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW
- Access Canberra, Drivers with licences from overseas
- NT.GOV.AU, Transfer your overseas driver licence
Rules change. Check with the authority you are applying to before you submit. We re-read these pages regularly and log changes below.
Change log
- 4 November 2026: First version. WA: the department is now the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI), and from 31 October 2026 it applies transfer arrangements to newly recognised jurisdictions, including South Korea and Taiwan. ACT: Access Canberra now names NAATI-certified translators.