AO Translation provides Chinese to English NAATI-certified translation for Chinese police clearance certificates, no criminal record certificates, police station letters, notarial certificates and related Chinese character documents. Standard Chinese police clearance translation is AUD 45 per page, and clear standard documents can usually be completed within about 12 hours. If you need your PDF translation emailed within 1 hour, choose priority delivery for an extra 60%.
Whether you need police evidence for a visa, PR, citizenship or another Home Affairs application depends on the application, residence history, checklist and any request letter. When Home Affairs requires police evidence from Mainland China, its China country instructions specify a Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions. That country entry excludes Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. A police-issued record and a notarial certificate are different documents; other receiving organisations may have different requirements.
A NAATI-certified translation helps translate Chinese documents into English for Australian organisations to read and assess. However, it does not replace the original police clearance, notarial certificate, required issuing format or any character document requested by the receiving organisation.
What is a Chinese police clearance certificate called in English?
A Chinese police clearance document may be described in English as a Certificate of No Criminal Record, police certificate or police clearance, depending on the issuing authority and receiving organisation. Home Affairs also uses the broader term penal clearance certificate. The name alone does not prove that a particular certificate, police-station letter or notarial format will meet an application requirement; follow the checklist or request letter for your case.
Which Document Form and Translation Requirements Should You Check?
| Use Case | Document Form to Confirm | English Translation to Confirm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian visa application | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Follow the visa subclass checklist or Home Affairs request letter |
| PR application | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Check whether overseas police evidence is required for your application |
| Citizenship application | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Citizenship is not a visa; check the relevant character-document requirements |
| Partner or family visa | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Residence history and Home Affairs instructions determine what to prepare |
| Skilled migration or employer-sponsored visa | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Check the character-document request for your application |
| Student visa | If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence: the specified notarial certificate | Check existing English and any additional translation requirement | Check whether police evidence is requested in your case |
| Employment, school or background check | Confirm the issuing authority and document form with the recipient | Confirm whether the existing English is accepted or translation is required | Do not apply Home Affairs document rules automatically to another organisation |
| Court, lawyer or professional registration | Confirm the document form with the recipient | Confirm the required translation and translator qualifications | Follow the receiving organisation’s written requirements |
Price, Turnaround and Delivery
| Item | Current Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document type | Chinese police clearance / notarial certificate | Mainland China no criminal record or related character document |
| Translation direction | Chinese to English | For Australian submission or review |
| Certification type | NAATI-certified translation | Suitable when an English translation is required |
| Standard price | AUD 45 per page | Unclear, complex or multi-page files may require scope confirmation |
| Standard turnaround | About 12 hours | Applies to clear, standard documents |
| 1-hour priority | AUD 72 per page | Includes the 60% surcharge (AUD 27); available 24/7, starts after payment and receipt of clear, complete materials, with PDF delivery by email |
| Delivery | PDF by email | Printed copies can be arranged if required; postal delivery time is separate from the 1-hour PDF timeframe |
| Original document | Usually not required for translation | Clear scans or photos are usually enough to start translation |
What Should You Confirm Before Ordering?
| Check Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Whether the use is for Home Affairs or a general organisation | When Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence, its China instructions specify the notarial certificate |
| Visa subclass or application type | Different visa types may have different character document requirements |
| Whether there is a Home Affairs request letter | A request letter may specify the exact document required |
| Whether a Chinese notarial certificate is required | For the Home Affairs Mainland China requirement, a police station letter plus translation does not replace the specified notarial certificate |
| Whether the document must be recently issued | Police clearance documents often have timing requirements |
| Whether NAATI translation is required | Check whether existing English is accepted and whether any required content still needs translation |
| Whether a printed copy is needed | Online and paper submissions may differ |
Chinese Police Clearance, Notarial Certificate and NAATI Translation: What Is the Difference?
| Document | What It Does | Can It Replace the Others? |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese police clearance / no criminal record certificate | Shows criminal record status issued by a Chinese authority | Does not automatically replace a notarial certificate |
| Chinese police notarial certificate | A notarial document issued by a Chinese notary office for no criminal record matters | Does not automatically replace a NAATI translation requirement |
| NAATI-certified English translation | Translates the Chinese document into English and certifies the translation | Does not replace the original certificate, notarial certificate or required document format |
In simple terms:
The notarial certificate addresses the document form and evidentiary requirement. The NAATI translation addresses the English-language translation requirement.
If the receiving organisation requires both, one cannot replace the other.
Which Details Need Careful Checking?
| Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Applicant name | Type the established English spelling used in passport, visa or identity records where relevant; no extra passport upload is needed solely for spelling |
| Date of birth | Used for identity matching |
| ID or passport number | Helps match the document to the applicant |
| Statement of no criminal record | This is the key content of the document |
| Issuing authority | Shows where the document came from |
| Issue date | Some organisations require recently issued documents |
| Notarial certificate number or document number | Supports document completeness and traceability |
| Official seal | Helps the receiving organisation assess document completeness |
Official References
Useful official references:
-
NAATI official directory:
https://directory.naati.com.au/ -
NAATI official website:
https://www.naati.com.au/ -
Australian Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements for visas:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character -
Australian Federal Police: National Police Checks:
https://www.afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks
Order Chinese Police Clearance NAATI Translation Online
If you have confirmed that the receiving organisation needs an English translation, or if you already have a Chinese police clearance, notarial certificate or Home Affairs request letter requiring translation, you can order NAATI-certified translation online through AO Translation.
Before ordering, prepare:
- A clear photo or scan of your Chinese police clearance or notarial certificate.
- Whether you need PDF only or a printed copy as well.
After receiving your document, AO Translation will complete the NAATI-certified English translation and send it as a PDF by email. Printed copies can be arranged if required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NAATI translation enough for a Chinese police clearance used for Home Affairs?
Translation does not replace the required source document. When Home Affairs requests police evidence from Mainland China, its China country instructions specify a Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions; that entry excludes Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. First check whether police evidence is required for your application, then prepare the specified document and any required English translation.
How do I check which Chinese police document Home Affairs requires?
For PR, partner or family, skilled migration, employer-sponsored, student visa and citizenship applications, check your own checklist, residence-history requirements and any request letter. If Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence, follow its specified notarial-certificate requirement. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have separate country instructions.
If I already have a Chinese police notarial certificate, do I still need NAATI translation?
It depends. If the notarial certificate includes English and the receiving organisation accepts it, extra translation may not be needed. Confirm any additional NAATI requirement or required content that lacks an acceptable English translation; the presence of Chinese alongside complete English does not by itself mean you need another translation.
Can a normal police station letter be translated and submitted in Australia?
For schools, employers, lawyers and other organisations, check whether they accept the particular police station letter and translation. When Home Affairs requests Mainland China police evidence, its China instructions specify a Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions; a translated police station letter does not replace that document. The China entry excludes Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Can I use a photo of my Chinese police clearance for translation?
Yes. In most cases, a clear photo or scan is enough for translation. Make sure the name, date, certificate content, issuing authority, seal and document edges are visible.
Can the PDF translation be used for online applications?
The PDF translation can be used for online submission when the receiving organisation accepts that format. If it requires a printed copy, original signature or posted document, follow its instructions.
How long is a Chinese police clearance valid?
Validity depends on the visa type and receiving organisation. Some documents must be recently issued. Always check the latest Home Affairs request letter or receiving organisation instructions before submission.
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Proofreading Date
This page was reviewed on 10 July 2026. Visa categories, police certificate formats, prices, turnaround times and receiving organisation requirements may change. Please check the latest Home Affairs request letter or receiving organisation instructions before submission.
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