Getting Your Chinese Documents Ready for Australian Immigration

Apostilles — a new option since November 2023

China acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention effective 7 November 2023. Before this date, Chinese documents required consular legalisation — a slower, multi-step process. Now, designated Chinese competent authorities can issue apostilles on public documents.

Which documents can be apostilled? Apostilles apply to public documents including notarial certificates, court documents, and administrative documents issued by government agencies. Educational certificates and police clearances can be apostilled after notarisation by a Chinese notary public.

How the process works. First, have your document notarised by a local notary public office (gongjhengshu). Then submit the notarised document to the designated competent authority in your province for the apostille. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 working days. Fees vary by province but are generally modest — around CNY 100 to CNY 300 (roughly AUD 20 to AUD 65).

Do you actually need an apostille? The Department of Home Affairs accepts certified copies for most visa applications. Apostilles are not routinely required. However, some skills assessment bodies may request apostilled documents. Check with your specific assessing authority before paying for apostilles. Start with certified copies and only arrange apostilles if specifically asked.

Hukou considerations

Your hukou (household registration) affects which local authorities issue certain documents. The hukou system ties civil records and police clearances to the jurisdiction where your household is registered, not necessarily where you currently live.

Why this matters for immigration. If you grew up in Chengdu but now work in Shanghai, your hukou may still be registered in Chengdu. Some documents — including police clearances — must be obtained from the Public Security Bureau in your hukou jurisdiction. Other documents, like notarised copies, can be handled by a notary public in your current city.

If you have transferred your hukou to a new city (common when purchasing property or through employer-sponsored transfers), your documents come from the new jurisdiction. Keep records of both your current and former hukou locations, as you may need documents from each.

Planning around hukou. If your hukou is in a different province from where you live, allow extra time. Travelling to your hukou city or coordinating remotely with local authorities adds days or weeks to the process. Some applicants ask family members in their hukou city to help with applications, though certain documents require you to appear in person.

Police clearance certificates

The Department of Home Affairs requires a police certificate from every country where you've lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. For China, this means a certificate from the Public Security Bureau (PSB).

How to apply. Visit the PSB in the jurisdiction of your hukou registration with your resident identity card (shenfenzheng), hukou booklet, and passport. You will need to provide fingerprints and complete an application form. Processing takes approximately 7 to 15 working days.

Multiple jurisdictions. If you have lived in different cities or provinces during the past 10 years, you may need clearances from each PSB jurisdiction. The certificate must cover the period you resided in that area. If your hukou has moved between provinces, confirm with each PSB which periods they cover.

Validity. Chinese police clearance certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Since skilled visa processing can take several months, time your application so the validity window covers your expected grant date.

Translation. The PSB certificate will be in Chinese. You need a certified English translation before uploading to ImmiAccount. See the translation section below.

To upload, scan the original and submit it through ImmiAccount as a colour PDF or JPEG. For more on character requirements, see the Home Affairs guidance.

Health examinations — Bupa panel clinics in China

Australian immigration health assessments must be completed at a panel-approved clinic. In China, these are operated by Bupa Medical Visa Services, with clinics in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and several other cities.

How to book. Generate a HAP (Health Assessment Portal) referral through your ImmiAccount, then book directly with a Bupa clinic using your HAP ID. You cannot walk in without a referral.

What to expect. The exam covers a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray (for applicants aged 11 and over). Some visa subclasses also require blood tests. Bring your passport, HAP ID letter, and any prescription glasses you use. Bupa sends results directly to Home Affairs electronically — you don't upload anything yourself.

Cost. Approximately AUD 350 to AUD 500 (roughly CNY 1,680 to CNY 2,400) depending on the tests your visa subclass requires. For a full breakdown of immigration-related expenses, see our China-to-Australia cost guide.

Identity documents

### Birth certificates

For Australian immigration, you need a birth certificate or notarised birth proof. In China, birth certificates (chusheng yixue zhengming) are issued by the hospital where you were born. If you were born before the modern birth certificate system was introduced, you may need a notarised birth declaration from a Chinese notary public, supported by your hukou entry showing your date and place of birth.

Have your birth certificate notarised by a Chinese notary public, then get a certified English translation.

### Passport

Upload clear colour scans of your passport's biographical page through ImmiAccount. If you hold both a Chinese passport and a Hong Kong or Macau travel document, provide both.

### Marriage certificates

If your application involves a spouse or partner, you need your marriage certificate. Chinese marriage certificates are issued by the local Civil Affairs Bureau (minzhengju). If you no longer have the original, apply for a replacement at the Civil Affairs Bureau where the marriage was registered. A notarised copy with certified English translation is accepted. For partner visa applications, see our list of migration agents who specialise in partner visas.

Educational documents — degrees and transcripts

Chinese degrees are assessed against the Australian Qualifications Framework by the relevant skills assessment body. You need to present them in the correct format.

University transcripts. Request official transcripts (chengji dan) from your university's academic affairs office (jiaowu chu). Transcripts should be sealed in the university's official envelope if being posted to an assessment body. Some Chinese universities now offer digital verification through CHSI (China Higher Education Student Information) — check whether your assessing body accepts these.

Degree certificate. You need notarised copies of your degree certificate (xueli zhengshu) and your degree award certificate (xuewei zhengshu). These are two separate documents in China. If you only have one, your assessment body may ask for both.

Translation. All Chinese-language academic documents need certified English translations. See the translation section below.

Translation requirements — NAATI and certified translations

Every Chinese-language document submitted to the Department of Home Affairs or a skills assessment body must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This is one of the most important steps for Chinese applicants.

What counts as a certified translation? The translator must certify that the translation is accurate and complete. In Australia, NAATI-accredited translators (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) are the standard. While Home Affairs does not always mandate NAATI accreditation, it is strongly preferred and reduces the risk of requests for further information.

Where to find a NAATI translator. Search the NAATI directory online for translators accredited in Chinese (Mandarin) to English. Many NAATI translators work remotely and can handle scanned documents. Expect to pay approximately AUD 50 to AUD 120 per page depending on the document's complexity.

Chinese notarised translations. Chinese notary public offices can produce English translations with a notarial certificate. These are generally accepted by Home Affairs for visa applications. However, some skills assessment bodies specifically require NAATI translations. If in doubt, use a NAATI translator — it avoids the risk of having to redo the translation later.

For international students applying from within Australia, see our guide on subclass 485 options for Chinese graduates.

Skills assessments by profession

A skills assessment is required for most skilled visa applications (subclasses 189, 190, 491, and 482). The assessing body depends on your nominated occupation. Each body has its own document requirements.

### Engineers Australia — CDR

Chinese engineering degrees are generally not recognised under the Washington Accord for fast-track assessment. Most Chinese-qualified engineers need to prepare a full Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). This includes three career episodes, a summary statement, and a continuing professional development list, plus notarised and translated copies of your degree and transcripts.

### ACS (Australian Computer Society)

ACS assesses ICT occupations. You need certified and translated copies of your degree certificate and transcript, plus employer references on company letterhead confirming your job title, duties, and dates of employment. References from Chinese employers should ideally be bilingual or accompanied by certified translations.

### VETASSESS

VETASSESS assesses a wide range of professional, managerial, and trade occupations. Requirements vary by occupation group but generally include certified and translated copies of your qualification, transcript, and employment references.

For eligibility estimates, try the Migratio points calculator or speak with a migration agent who specialises in skilled visas. If you are exploring business or investor pathways, see our Chinese business investor guide.

Employment references

Strong employment references matter for most skills assessments. Each reference should be on company letterhead and include your full name, job title, dates of employment (start and end), hours worked per week, and a detailed description of duties performed.

Getting references from Chinese employers. Ask your HR department or direct manager to issue a reference on company letterhead with the company stamp (gongzhang). The official stamp carries significant weight in Chinese business documents. If the reference is in Chinese, you will need a certified English translation. Some applicants request bilingual references to save on translation costs.

If a former employer has closed, provide a notarised declaration explaining the situation, along with supporting evidence such as employment contracts, social insurance records, or tax payment records (geshui jilu).

Common mistakes Chinese applicants make

Submitting translations without NAATI accreditation. While not always mandatory, non-NAATI translations carry a higher risk of being questioned. If you need to redo a translation mid-application, it adds weeks to your timeline.

Applying for PCC from the wrong PSB. Your police clearance must come from the PSB in your hukou jurisdiction, not necessarily where you currently live. Applying at the wrong office wastes time.

Confusing xueli and xuewei certificates. Chinese universities issue two documents: the academic certificate (xueli zhengshu) and the degree certificate (xuewei zhengshu). Assessment bodies often need both. Missing one delays your assessment.

Not planning around hukou location. If your hukou is in a different province, obtaining documents takes longer. Start the process early and factor in travel or coordination time.

Applying for the police clearance too early. If your certificate expires before your visa is granted, you'll need a new one. Time it so the 12-month validity window covers your expected grant date.

Forgetting to disclose all addresses. If you've lived in multiple Chinese cities, you may need police clearances from each jurisdiction. Failing to disclose all addresses can cause character assessment delays.

Next steps

Documents are one part of a larger process. For help deciding which visa pathway suits you, see our China visa options guide. To estimate costs in CNY and AUD, use the visa cost calculator. For what life looks like after you arrive, read our settling in Australia guide.

If you want professional help, Migratio connects you with MARA-registered migration agents who specialise in China-to-Australia moves. You can search by visa type or read our guide on how to choose a migration agent. To see where you stand on the points test, try the points calculator.

Related resources

- China to Australia — 2026 Overview
- Visa Options for Chinese Citizens Moving to Australia
- Cost of Moving to Australia from China
- Settling in Australia from China
- How to Choose a Migration Agent
- What Is a Skills Assessment?
- Find a Skilled Visa Agent

Does China now issue apostilles for Australian immigration?

Yes. China acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention effective 7 November 2023. Designated competent authorities can now apostille Chinese public documents. Check whether your specific visa application or skills assessment body requires apostilled documents or accepts notarised copies.

How does hukou affect my Australian visa documents?

Your hukou registration determines which local authorities issue documents like police clearances and some civil certificates. If you've moved cities, you may need documents from both your hukou registration location and your current residence. Plan this early, as obtaining documents from a different province can take longer.

Where do I get a police clearance in China?

Apply at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in the jurisdiction of your hukou registration. Processing typically takes 7 to 15 working days. If you've lived in multiple jurisdictions, you may need clearances from each. The certificate must cover the period you resided in that area.

Do I need NAATI translations of my Chinese documents?

The Department of Home Affairs requires certified English translations of all non-English documents. While not always mandatory, NAATI-accredited translations are strongly preferred and reduce the risk of requests for further information. Skills assessment bodies may specifically require NAATI translations.