Getting Your Philippine Documents Ready for Australian Immigration

DFA-OCA authentication — how Philippine document authentication works

The Philippines has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 14 May 2019. Philippine public documents can now be apostilled by the DFA — Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) for use in Australia, replacing the older red-ribbon process.

Step one: get the original document from the issuing agency. Your document must first come from the originating body — the PSA, your school, NBI, or PRC.

Step two: submit to DFA-OCA for apostille. Apply at the DFA main office in Pasay City, consular offices in Cebu and Davao, or regional satellite offices. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days. Rush service is available at a higher fee. The standard fee is PHP 100 per document.

If you are overseas. Filipino workers abroad can request authentication through Philippine embassies and consulates. Many OFWs already hold authenticated documents from previous overseas deployments — check whether yours are still current.

When is apostille needed? Home Affairs accepts certified copies for most visa applications. Some skills assessment bodies request apostilled documents. Check with your specific assessing authority before paying for apostille services.

PSA documents — birth certificates, CENOMAR, and marriage certificates

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) issues the civil registry documents you need for Australian immigration. These replace the older NSO (National Statistics Office) certificates.

### Birth certificates

You need a PSA-issued birth certificate on security paper. Locally issued certificates from the municipal civil registrar are not accepted. Order through the PSA website, Serbilis centres, or SM Business Centre outlets. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days for online orders, or same-day at Serbilis centres. Cost is approximately PHP 365 plus a delivery fee. If your birth was registered late, include the late registration documents and supporting affidavits.

### CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage)

A CENOMAR confirms you have no registered marriage in the Philippines. Australian immigration may request this for partner visa applications to verify marital status. Order it the same way as your birth certificate. CENOMAR is valid for six months from the date of issue — time your order so the validity window covers your application date. Cost is approximately PHP 420.

### Marriage certificates

If your application involves a spouse, you need a PSA-issued marriage certificate. The locally registered copy from the municipal registrar is not sufficient. Have it apostilled at DFA-OCA if required by your visa subclass or assessing body.

NBI clearance — Philippine police checks

The Department of Home Affairs requires a police certificate from every country where you have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. For the Philippines, this means an NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance.

How to apply. Register online through the NBI clearance website, pay the fee (approximately PHP 155), and schedule an appointment. Bring a valid government ID and your NBI reference number.

The "hits" system. NBI runs your name against its database after biometric capture. If there is no match, your clearance is ready within 1 to 7 working days. If a "hit" occurs, additional verification takes 2 to 4 weeks. Common Filipino surnames frequently trigger hits, so build extra time into your timeline.

Validity. NBI clearances are valid for 12 months. Time your application so the validity window covers your expected visa grant date.

If you are overseas. Filipino citizens abroad can obtain NBI clearances through Philippine embassies and consulates. Processing times and appointment requirements vary by location.

Health examinations — Bupa panel clinics in the Philippines

Australian immigration health assessments must be completed at a panel-approved clinic. In the Philippines, these are operated by Bupa Medical Visa Services, with clinics in Manila (Makati) and Cebu.

How to book. Generate a HAP (Health Assessment Portal) referral through your ImmiAccount, then book 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. Some visa subclasses also require blood tests. Bring your passport, HAP ID letter, and any prescription glasses. Bupa sends results directly to Home Affairs — you do not upload anything yourself.

Cost. Approximately AUD 350 to AUD 500 (roughly PHP 15,000 to PHP 21,500) depending on required tests. For a full breakdown, see our Philippines-to-Australia cost guide.

Educational documents — PRC licence, transcripts, and diplomas

Philippine educational documents must be in the correct format for your skills assessment body.

### PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) licence

If you are a licensed professional — nurse, engineer, teacher, or accountant — your PRC licence is a key document. Request a certified true copy from PRC. If your licence has expired, renew it before applying. Assessment bodies want current or recently valid registration.

### University transcripts and diplomas

Request official Transcript of Records (TOR) and diploma directly from your university. Seal transcripts in the university's official envelope if posting to an assessment body. Ensure your university is recognised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

If your university has closed, contact CHED for a Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CAV) of your credentials. At minimum, gather certified copies of your diploma, TOR, and any special orders related to your degree.

ANMAC requirements for Filipino nurses

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) assesses nursing qualifications for immigration. ANMAC has specific formatting requirements that differ from other assessment bodies.

Documents needed for ANMAC assessment:

- Certified copy of your nursing degree diploma
- Official Transcript of Records showing all subjects and grades
- Current PRC nursing licence and board rating certificate
- Registration certificate from the Board of Nursing
- English language test results — IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band, or OET B in each component
- Employment references on employer letterhead with duties, hours, and dates
- Passport-sized photograph and certified passport copy

English language requirements. The healthcare standard is higher than for other occupations. You need IELTS Academic 7.0 in every band (listening, reading, writing, speaking) or OET B in every component. There is no "overall score" shortcut — each band must meet the minimum. This is the most common barrier for Filipino nursing applicants.

Processing time. ANMAC assessments typically take 8 to 12 weeks. Start early — additional documentation requests are common and each request resets the processing clock.

For more on the nursing pathway, see our guide for Filipino nurses moving to Australia. You can also explore options for aged care workers, which follows a related but different assessment path.

Other skills assessments

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

### ACS (Australian Computer Society)

ACS assesses ICT occupations including software engineers, developers, and analysts. You need certified copies of your degree and TOR, plus employer references on company letterhead. See our Filipino IT worker guide for the full ACS pathway. Cost is approximately AUD 550 (roughly PHP 23,650). Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks.

### VETASSESS

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

For points estimates, try the Migratio points calculator or speak with a migration agent who specialises in skilled visas.

Common mistakes Filipino applicants make

Using municipal certificates instead of PSA copies. Home Affairs requires PSA-issued certificates on security paper. Copies from your city or barangay hall are not accepted.

Not accounting for NBI "hits" delays. Common surnames like Santos, Reyes, Cruz, and Garcia frequently trigger database matches. Apply at least 6 weeks before you need clearance.

Submitting an expired PRC licence. If your licence expired while working overseas, renew it before applying for skills assessment.

Ordering CENOMAR too early. CENOMAR is valid for only six months. If visa processing takes longer, you will need a new one.

Skipping apostille when the assessment body requires it. Home Affairs accepts certified copies, but some skills assessment bodies specifically require DFA-apostilled documents. Check requirements before submitting.

Assuming OFW documents are still valid. Authenticated documents from previous deployments may have expired or may not meet Australian-specific requirements. Verify each document before including it.

Missing the English band score by a fraction. For ANMAC, you need 7.0 in every IELTS band — not just overall. A 7.5 overall with 6.5 in writing still fails.

Next steps

Documents are one part of a larger process. For help deciding which visa pathway suits you, see our Philippines visa options guide. To estimate costs in PHP 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. You can search by visa type or read our guide on how to choose a migration agent.

Related resources

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

How do I get my Philippine documents authenticated for Australia?

Philippine documents go through DFA-OCA (Department of Foreign Affairs — Office of Consular Affairs) authentication. The document must first be issued by the originating agency (PSA, school, NBI), then authenticated by DFA. If you're overseas, Philippine embassies and consulates can assist.

What is a CENOMAR and do I need one?

A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) is issued by PSA. It confirms you have no registered marriage in the Philippines. Australian immigration may request this for partner visa applications to verify your marital status. Order it through the PSA website or Serbilis centres.

How long does an NBI clearance take?

NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearances typically take 1 to 7 working days if there are no 'hits' (name matches in the database). If a hit occurs, additional verification takes 2 to 4 weeks. Apply online through the NBI clearance website and schedule an appointment.

What documents does ANMAC need from Filipino nurses?

ANMAC requires certified copies of your nursing degree transcript and diploma, PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) licence, current registration certificate, English test results meeting healthcare standards, employment references on letterhead, and a passport-sized photo. All non-English documents need certified translations.