Get the paperwork right once

Certifying copies

Every document you upload must be a certified copy unless the issuer sends it to Ahpra directly.

• Certification happens in person: the officer sights the original, checks the copy, and compares your face to any photo ID. Video links are not accepted.
• Who can certify anywhere: registered health practitioners (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists and others) and legal practitioners. Outside Australia also: notaries public, justices of the peace, Australian consular or diplomatic officers. Inside Australia also: police officers, teachers, public servants of five or more years, bank officers of five or more years, accountants, ministers of religion and others on Ahpra's list.
• Required wording on the first page: "I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original", plus the date, signature, printed name, contact phone number, occupation (and profession number if applicable) and stamp if they have one.
• Multi-page documents: every page initialled and numbered ("page 2 of 5"); the statement goes on page one.
• Statements of service and certificates emailed to Ahpra by the employer or regulator from a verifiable address need no certification.

Sources: Certifying documents, Information for international practitioners. Checked 15 Oct 2026.

Translating documents

Anything not in English needs a full translation; extracts are rejected.

• Translated in Australia: a NAATI-accredited translator. Translated overseas: a translator approved by that country's authorities; the Australian embassy can confirm.
• Relatives, friends and volunteer agencies cannot translate for you.
• The translator works from the original or a legible notarised copy and signs a statement that the translation is accurate, with their ID number or seal on every page, printed name, address and phone.
• Upload three things together: the certified copy of the original, the translation, and the translator's signed statement.
• If a non-English document (for example a Certificate of Good Standing) is sent straight to Ahpra, tell Ahpra in writing who your NAATI translator is; Ahpra emails it to them and receives the translation back.

Source: Ahpra. Checked 15 Oct 2026.

Certificate of Good Standing

One from every regulator you have ever been registered with, sent by them, not you.

• The regulator emails it directly to COGS@ahpra.gov.au. A copy you upload yourself is not accepted.
• It must be dated within three months of the day Ahpra receives your application. Request it four to six weeks before you plan to lodge.
• If a regulator will not issue one, tell Ahpra; you may be asked for alternative evidence of your registration status.
• Check the application form for how far back registrations are required.

Source: Ahpra. Checked 15 Oct 2026.

International criminal history check

Needed for every country you lived in for six or more consecutive months as an adult.

• Order it from an Ahpra-approved supplier: AIS International or Fit2Work. Results go straight to Ahpra and are valid three months from issue.
• Order before you lodge: the application asks for the supplier's reference page and check number. Fit2Work sends the reference page within one to three business days; results take 5 to 20 business days.
• Fit2Work charges $159 + GST per country ($55 + GST for New Zealand); one application can cover several countries.
• The Australian check is run by Ahpra and included in the application fee.

Sources: Ahpra, Fit2Work (Equifax) (secondary). Checked 15 Oct 2026.

Proof of identity (InstaID+)

An online check, done from anywhere, within 30 days of the link.

• After you submit, InstaID+ emails a secure link within 48 hours. Check spam. If it does not arrive, make an online enquiry to Ahpra; InstaID+ cannot resend it.
• You take a selfie holding your photo ID and photograph each document; it runs liveness and database checks.
• Applying from inside Australia: one commencement-of-identity document (foreign passport with current visa, ImmiCard, Australian passport or birth certificate), one primary document (driver's licence, non-expired overseas passport or government photo ID) and two secondary documents (Medicare card, bank card, ATO document, and others on Ahpra's list).
• Applying from outside Australia: passport plus at least two of a foreign driver's licence with photo, a full birth certificate, a national identity card, or a bank card.
• Without a change-of-name document you are registered, and listed on the public register, under the name on your passport or commencement document.
• A visa is not required to be registered; registration does not grant a visa or a job.

Sources: Proof of identity (InstaID+), Information for international practitioners. Checked 15 Oct 2026.

Qualification, CV and work history

• Certified copy of the primary dental degree that leads to registration, and the academic transcript.
• The ADC certificate downloaded from ADC Connect.
• A signed CV, current and declared true and correct, with no unexplained gaps.
• Work history entered in the online form; statements of service from past dental employers support it and are useful to employers later.
• Declarations in the form: criminal history, health impairments (with treating-practitioner evidence if any), professional indemnity, English.

Sources: Information for international practitioners, Applying for registration. Checked 15 Oct 2026.