Aussie Migration - Translating your Malaysian Documents

Before you fly off, do remember that some of your Malaysian documents still hold some importance in transitioning your old life in Malaysia to your new one down under. Most of the Malaysian documents are not directly acceptable by Australian government bodies. You will need to provide translated copies of your documents in order to apply for certain things in Australia.

You will want to translate the below:
1) Marriage certificate
2) Driving License
3) Birth certificate

While in Malaysia

If you're still in Malaysia, you can translate your documents via Persatuan Penterjemah Malaysia (PPM) aka Malaysia Translators' Association.

As PPM is located quite far in KL @ Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka in Jln Maharajalela. You can also give them a call at 03-21424381.

Last time I called, the nice lady there told me that I can courier my documents over and they can translate and courier the copies back to me. Each translation of a standard sort of document costs around RM40. An additional RM10 for courier charges if you need the translations posted back to you. Any additional copies will incur a following RM10. All this is payable by cheque issued to Persatuan Penterjemah Malaysia.

For the Malaysian Driving License, you have another option of requesting for your 'butir-butir lesen pemandu' from any JPJ branch. This is actually cheaper (RM10) and takes only 15 mins - 1 hour (depending on how busy that branch is). Just let the officer know that you need the information on your driving license for in English in order to apply for a road test in Australia.

KK and I got our driving license translated this way in JPJ. It was pretty painless. Do remember to bring a photostat copy of your IC and Lesen kopi ok? :)

While in Australia

Sure you could do it when you're in Australia, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

Not having done this myself, but based on research, you could get this done via the High Commission of Malaysia. It is cheap. The catch is, however, the place is in Canberra. It might prove to be a problem if you're actually settling down elsewhere in Australia.

As far as I know, the only way to translate documents is via NAATI.

Image Source

You can go through the website to locate the nearest NAATI-certified translator and engage the right person to do the job. I am not sure on the charges but I heard it could go up to AUD75 per document.

Be sure to translate all your legal documents before you land. It will be useful to have at least a translated copy of each of the document with you when you land. Bear in mind that you will also need to bring the originals!