If you don’t speak the main language used in Australia fluently and you need to get some documents translated for use in the Federal Court, you may need to engage a suitably qualified translator. The Court provides information about interpreting and translation arrangements and aims to assist parties who require language support. If you do not need to use these arrangements but require help understanding Australian federal law, you may choose to engage an individual translator certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

When dealing with the Australian legal system and proceedings in the Federal Court, parties may be required to provide translations of overseas documents that meet the Court’s requirements. In some cases, translations may need to be completed by individual translators who hold NAATI certification, depending on the circumstances and the Court’s directions. In exceptional situations, a judicial officer may authorise the translation of documents where it is necessary for the proper conduct of proceedings.

The Court might be prepared to receive correspondence that’s written in another language if it is related to either a litigant or a potential litigant. In these situations, the registry's is required to pay for the translation. This is to ensure that everyone has equal access to the information required in a language that can be understood by those involved.

Free Translations

The Department of Social Services (DSS) offers a translation service at no cost to those Australian citizens and migrants who are eligible and are settled or settling in Australia on a permanent basis.

This free translating service is aimed at assisting those who settle in Australia so that they can participate more easily in their chosen community. Any personal documents that need translating which could include academic certificates or job references can be translated at no cost for the first 2 years of a migrants stay in Australia.

Complaints and Feedback

If a client has had documents translated or has used the services of an interpreter in the Federal Court and is not happy about the quality of the service provided he or she is encouraged to give feedback to the Federal Court on the standard of translating and interpreting services provided.