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Enquiries
Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Embassy staff are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.
The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.
If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the Immigration and citizenship website, and click the Ask a question button to get started.
Global Service Centre
If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm your local time.
International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.
Using an interpreter
When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.
Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can also be engaged directly via:
- TIS website: Search | Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or
- Home Affairs website See: Family and friends helping with your application
Compliments, complaints and suggestions
Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department uses your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at Compliments, complaints and suggestions.
Allegations related to suspicious border activities
If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime. You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the Border Watch Online Report.
All non-citizens need to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Australia.
Use ImmiAccount to lodge your application, make a payment, update your details or circumstances, upload documents, and track the progress of your application. If you have provided documents by email to the Department, you will receive an automated acknowledgement. Please remember to check your junk folder and add us as a safe sender.
If you are experiencing technical issues with ImmiAccount, please visit help and support.
It is recommended that applicants do not make non-refundable financial commitments in relation to their travel prior to receiving a visa to Australia.
The Department is committed to building more efficient and effective ways of delivering accessible services through the use of digital channels as our default form of delivery. As such, you can complete a number of services online without needing to contact the Department directly. This includes:
Check status of your Australian visa online
Please note that we are unable to provide any updates on the progress of your application if it is within standard global processing times.
For current global visa processing times, please visit visa processing times.
Please ensure that any supporting documents required with your application are attached at lodgement of your application. A decision may be made at any time after the application is submitted.
Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English Translation.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs is moving towards a global visa processing model. This means that any application may be processed in an office other than where it is lodged. As such it is important that all supporting documents attached to the application which are not in English, be accompanied by an English translation.
The English translations must be appropriately endorsed translations. In Australia, translators must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Their accreditation details must be recorded on the translation.
Translations provided by non-accredited translators outside Australia should be endorsed by the translator with their full name, address, telephone number, and details of their qualifications and experience in the language being translated.
Please ensure that when providing an English translation, that a copy of the original document is also provided. Failure to provide an English translation of supporting documentation may delay processing and result in the document not being considered as part of the visa application.
For Departmental policy relating to supporting documentation, please visit who can help with your application.
Applying for Australian citizenship by Descent
You may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if you were born outside Australia and one (or both) of your parents was also an Australian citizen at the time of your birth. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Apply online through ImmiAccount. For more information on how to apply, please visit applying online.
For information on citizenship processing times, please visit citizenship processing times.
Applying for Evidence of Australian citizenship
An Australian citizenship certificate is an official document that shows that a person is an Australian citizen. If you meet requirements, you can get a certificate, or replace one that has been lost, destroyed or damaged. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Apply online through ImmiAccount. For more information on how to apply, please visit applying online.
For information on citizenship processing times, please visit citizenship processing times.
Visa applicants may be required to provide their biometric identifiers (digital facial image and fingerprint scan). If required, you will be contacted to complete this process. Please visit biometrics collection process.
To find the nearest Australian Biometrics Collection Centre, please visit offices outside Australia.
If you have been requested to provide biometrics but are unable to do so, please attach a written statement to your application using your ImmiAccount explaining your circumstances.