Did You Know? The demand for attested educational documents has increased significantly.
The UAE reports that over 200,000 expat families seek school placements annually. As families move to the UAE for promising career opportunities and a vibrant lifestyle, ensuring a seamless transition for children’s education becomes a top priority.
For parents with Australian primary and high school certificates, attesting these documents is a vital step to enrol in UAE schools. The UAE has specific requirements to ensure the authenticity of foreign documents, making attestation an indispensable part of the relocation process.
Why Australian School Certificate Attestation is Crucial for the UAE
Schools in the UAE, particularly international and private institutions, place a high emphasis on confirming the legitimacy of a student’s educational history. When enrolling children in schools, parents will be asked to provide attested documents that prove the child’s academic background.
The UAE is not part of The Hague Apostille Convention, so it does not accept the Apostille process, which is used for Hague Convention countries. Instead, the UAE requires a multi-step legalisation process called attestation.
Additionally, many UAE schools require a consistent academic progression, and attested documents help ensure that the student is placed in the correct grade level. For example, a primary school certificate may need to be attested to prove that your child has completed the required curriculum before transitioning to secondary school.
This attestation is also required for enrolment in government-sponsored schools or for applying to the UAE Ministry of Education for validation. By having these documents attested, parents are simplifying the often complex school admission process.

For parents planning to enrol their children in school in the UAE, this process is mandatory for:
School Admissions: Private and government-approved schools require attested certificates as part of the registration process.
Visa and Immigration Applications: If you are moving to the UAE on a work visa, you may need to provide attested documents for visa purposes. Residency visa applications for dependants (children) now require more detailed documentation, including proof of education.
Legal and Educational Recognition: Attesting certificates ensures they are recognised by government institutions, avoiding potential complications.
Schools and immigration authorities in the UAE are particularly diligent in verifying the authenticity of foreign academic certificates, so ensuring that everything is attested correctly is crucial for a smooth transition.
Practical Advice for Families
Beyond the process itself, families moving to the UAE can benefit from these additional tips:
Plan Ahead: Start the attestation process as soon as relocation plans are confirmed. Delays are common during peak travel seasons.
Bundle Certificates: If you have more than one child, submit all certificates for attestation together to save time and costs.
Check UAE School Policies: Each school may have unique requirements. Confirm whether they need additional documentation, such as immunisation records, alongside attested certificates.
Digital Copies: While original documents are required for attestation, keeping high-quality digital copies can be helpful for online school registrations and backup purposes.
By using a reliable service like Authentifier, you can ensure that all the required steps—such as notarisation, DFAT authentication, and UAE Embassy legalisation—are completed properly, saving you time and ensuring the validity of your child’s certificates when they arrive in the UAE.
So, if you’re planning to relocate to the UAE and need to have your Australian primary and high school certificates attested, Authentifier can handle the entire process for you. Our expert team is ready to guide you through every step, ensuring your documents are prepared and legalised for school enrolment, visa applications, and more.
Don’t wait! Contact Authentifier today to ensure a seamless experience in getting your documents attested for use in the UAE.