Australia Certificate Attestation for UAE
What Is Australian Certificate Attestation?
Australian certificate attestation is the legalization process that makes a document issued in Australia legally valid in the UAE. The document is notarized (where required), authenticated by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and then attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra together with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) through a single digital attestation.
You’ll need attested Australian documents for a UAE employment or residence visa, a family visa, school or university admission, professional licensing and company setup. We manage the whole process from Dubai — you don’t need to be in Australia.
Australian documents we attest for UAE:
- Degree, diploma and transcript attestation (including testamurs)
- Birth certificate attestation
- Marriage certificate attestation and divorce orders
- AFP National Police Certificate attestation
- Power of attorney, statutory declarations and affidavits
- Commercial documents — ASIC company extracts, certificates of registration, constitutions and board resolutions
Does the UAE Accept an Australian Apostille?
No. Australia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, but the UAE is not — so an Australian apostille on its own is not accepted in the UAE. For UAE use, DFAT issues an authentication (not an apostille), which is then legalized by the UAE Embassy in Canberra and attested by UAE MOFA. See our guide to apostille vs. UAE attestation.
How Does Australia Certificate Attestation for UAE Work? Step-by-Step
- Notarization (if required) — an Australian notary public certifies documents that aren’t original public documents, such as copies of degrees, powers of attorney and statutory declarations. Original public documents signed by an Australian official (for example a birth certificate from a state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages) can usually go straight to DFAT.
- DFAT authentication — the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade authenticates the notary’s or official’s signature and seal.
- UAE Embassy Canberra + UAE MOFA digital attestation — one digital application covers both the UAE Embassy in Canberra and UAE MOFA. The result is a digital attestation certificate with a unique number that can be verified online, and it is legally recognized in the UAE.
Because the UAE Embassy and MOFA stages are combined, there is usually no separate MOFA attestation needed after the document arrives in the UAE. Note that the UAE Embassy in Canberra only attests Australian-issued documents.
Australian Degree Certificate Attestation for UAE
Australian degree attestation for UAE is required for most skilled work visas and for academic equivalency with the UAE Ministry of Higher Education. The degree (testamur) and transcript are typically notarized, authenticated by DFAT, and then go through UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA digital attestation.
- Degrees issued digitally through My eQuals can often be DFAT-authenticated online, which can shorten the process.
- Teachers, engineers and healthcare professionals should plan for equivalency after attestation — keep your transcript with your degree.
Australian Birth and Marriage Certificate Attestation for UAE Family Visa
To sponsor a spouse or child on a UAE family visa, you’ll usually need an attested Australian marriage certificate and/or Australian birth certificate. Use the full certificate issued by the state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages — commemorative certificates are not accepted. These go to DFAT for authentication, then UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA digital attestation. See our family visa attestation page for visa-specific requirements.
Which Route Does Your Australian Document Take?
| Document | Notary needed? | Attestation route for UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Birth, marriage, death certificate (BDM) | Usually no | DFAT → UAE Embassy Canberra + MOFA (digital) |
| Degree, diploma, transcript | Usually yes | Notary → DFAT → UAE Embassy Canberra + MOFA (digital) |
| AFP National Police Certificate | Usually no | DFAT → UAE Embassy Canberra + MOFA (digital) |
| Power of attorney, company documents | Yes | Notary → DFAT → UAE Embassy Canberra + MOFA (digital) |
A power of attorney with commercial content is treated as a commercial document, and a company’s memorandum and articles of association are attested as separate documents.
How Long Does Australia Certificate Attestation Take?
Australian certificate attestation for UAE typically takes about 1 to 3 weeks end to end, plus courier time. Notarization is usually quick, DFAT authentication takes a few business days, and the UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA digital attestation is typically completed within 2–3 business days.
Cost depends on the document type (personal or commercial) and whether notarization is needed, since DFAT and the UAE Embassy each charge their own fees. Request a free quote for an exact price.
Documents Required for Australia Certificate Attestation
- The original document — the digital attestation process still requires the physical original
- A clear passport copy of the document holder
- For degrees: the transcript alongside the testamur
- For a marriage certificate: passport copies of both spouses
- For company documents: an authorization letter and the relevant ASIC extract
Why Choose Attestation Services for Australian Documents?
- End-to-end handling: notary, DFAT and UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA digital attestation — one point of contact.
- No need to be in Australia — submit your documents in Dubai or by courier.
- Free collection and delivery within the UAE, with tracking throughout.
- Documents checked before submission, so they aren’t rejected for the wrong certificate type or a missing notarization.
- Transparent pricing and timelines agreed before we start.
New to the process? Read what certificate attestation is and why you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Australian certificate attestation for UAE?
Australian certificate attestation is the process of legalizing an Australian-issued document so it is legally valid in the UAE. It involves notarization where required, DFAT authentication, and UAE Embassy Canberra plus UAE MOFA attestation, which are now completed as one digital attestation.
Does the UAE accept an Australian apostille?
No. Australia is a Hague Apostille Convention member but the UAE is not, so an apostille alone is not accepted. For the UAE, DFAT issues an authentication, which is then attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra and UAE MOFA.
How do I attest an Australian degree for the UAE?
The degree and transcript are usually notarized, authenticated by DFAT, and then attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra and UAE MOFA through a single digital attestation. Degrees issued through My eQuals can often be DFAT-authenticated online.
How long does Australia certificate attestation take?
Usually about 1 to 3 weeks in total plus courier time. The UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA digital attestation step itself typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
Do I need UAE MOFA attestation in Dubai for Australian documents?
Usually not. The UAE Embassy in Canberra digital attestation service covers both the embassy and UAE MOFA attestation in one application, and the resulting digital attestation is legally recognized in the UAE.
Can I attest my Australian documents while living in the UAE?
Yes. Submit your original documents to us in Dubai or by courier and we coordinate notarization, DFAT authentication and the UAE Embassy Canberra / MOFA attestation, then return the document to you.
Does an Australian birth certificate need notarization before DFAT?
Usually not. An original full birth certificate issued by a state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages can normally be authenticated by DFAT directly. Commemorative birth certificates are not accepted.
Need Your Australian Documents Attested for the UAE?
From notarization and DFAT authentication to UAE Embassy Canberra and MOFA digital attestation, we handle the full Australia certificate attestation chain so your documents are accepted the first time.