Higher Education Sector visa (subclass 573)

Features

This visa permits you to stay in Australiato study a full-time higher education course.

Streamlined Visa Processing

Streamlined visa processing for 573 subclass is created for international students who wish to study in Australia at a participating university or non-university higher education provider. You may be qualified for streamlined visa processing if your major course of study is a Bachelor degree or a Masters by coursework.

Requirements

You might be able to obtain this visa category if you are signed- up as a student in a registered course for the award of:

--A bachelor or associate degree

--A graduate certificate or graduate diploma

--A masters degree by coursework

--A higher education diploma or advanced diploma

Streamlined visa processing identifies these applicants as lower migration risk (similar to the current Assessment Level 1) apart from of their country of origin.

who is this visa for?

If you want to do followings this visa is suitable for you:

--Apply for your first student visa

--Apply for subsequent student visa

--Apply to join a family member who is in Australia on a student visa.

If you are apply in Australia for this visa, you must either be the recent owner of a qualifying visa or have held a certain visa no more than 28 days prior to lodging your application.

How much will this visa cost?

Visa application charge is not refund even though the visa application is withdrawn.

You have to pay other costs similar to, cost of health assessment, police certificate or any other certificate or tests. The applicant is accountable for making the necessary arrangements.

what does this visa let me do?

With this visa:

--You are eligible to study in Australia

--Eligible dependant family members can accompany you to Australia

--The applicant can work up to 40 hours per fortnight while the course work in progress and limitless hours during scheduled course breaks.

--After you commenced your course work in Australia your family members also can work up to 40 hours per fortnight. If you commenced your course work in post graduate field such as Masters Degree, your family members can work limitless hours.

Note: Your dependent family members may need to apply separately for Permission to Work only if you have been approved Student visa before 26 April 2008 you

--If your partner is willing to study in Australia he/she can work up to three months.

--If the partner desire to study in Australia further, he/she can apply their own student visa without depending on the partner visa because partner visa allows them to study up to three months only.

how this visa works?

Before you submit an application for this visa, you must have applied for and been accepted to study full-time at an educational institution in Australia. You must provide evidence of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time that you lodge your application.

Length of stay

This visa let you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course. It allows multiple entries to Australia. Dependent family members who come with you to Australia are generally able to stay the same period of time as you, but they cannot stay once you have left the country.

Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy must cover the full duration of your visa. Your student visa can be granted up to the maximum duration outlined in the table below.

Duration of course Duration of visa Longer than 10 months and finishing at the end of the Australian academic year (November – December) Your visa will generally be granted to March 15 of the following year. Longer than 10 months (finishing January - October) Your visa will generally be granted for two months longer than the duration of your course. 10 months or less Your visa will generally be granted for one month longer than the duration of your course.

Note: If the student visa will not valid until the graduation, student can apply for the visitor visa. If the student wants to apply for visitor visa, the student needs a letter from your education provider which states the date of your graduation.

Work while studying

You and your dependents will have permission to work automatically included with your visa.

Work entitlement

When student begins the course in Australia, they can work maximum of 40 hours per fortnight and limitless hours when student course is not in session. You cannot carry out work until you have started your course in Australia.

Note: Work that is formal registered part of your course work is not included in the limit of 40 hours per fortnight.

If you are doing unpaid work it is included in the limit of 40 hours per fortnight. A fortnight starts on any Monday and ends on the second following Sunday.

Dependent family can work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during the year. A week starts on any Monday and ends on the second following Sunday.

Exceptions: Family members of students registered in Masters by coursework (subclass 573) can work unlimited hours when the student commenced their main course.

Note: Family members cannot start work until you have commenced your course in Australia.

Important: You must also meet the terms with the state and territory laws of Australia. Under all state and territory laws, you are not able work during school hours if you are under the school leaving age, which in most states is 15 years.

When is your course in session?

The department considers your course work to be 'in session':

--for the period of the advertised semesters (including the time periods when exams are being held)

--If you have finished your studies and your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is still in effect

--If you are undertaking another course, during a break from your main course and the points will be credited to your major course.

Student visa definitions

There are terms which are used for Student visas.

Eligibility

This information is about the necessities that you and your dependent family members must meet for streamlined visa processing for a student visa.

Student

You must meet the following specific requirements to be qualified for streamlined visa processing for this visa category.

Full-time study

At the time that you lodge your application, you must:

--Be accepted for full-time study in an appropriate registered course or part of a registered course at a participating university or non-university higher education provider

--Provide verification of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Note: An appropriate registered course is a course that is eligible for streamlining, as defined below and is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Eligible courses

The following higher education sector courses are suitable for streamlined visa processing:

--Bachelor degrees

--Master degrees by coursework.

The following higher education sector courses are not suitable for streamlined visa processing:

--Higher Education Diploma

--Higher Education Advanced Diploma

--Graduate Certificate

--Graduate Diploma

--Associate Degree.

Participating universities and non-university higher education providers

A list of universities and non-university higher education providers participating in the streamlined visa processing arrangements is available.

Course packaging

If you are plan to start an ELICOS, foundation other pathway course (E: g: bridging course or vocational educational course) as a prerequisite or to enable you to start your Bachelor or Masters by Coursework degree, you must also give evidence of your confirmation of enrolment for each of the prerequisite or enabling courses.

The prerequisite or enabling course must be given by an educational business partner nominated by your education provider. Your education provider will be able to give you with details of their nominated education business partners.

Genuine temporary entrant requirement

Your individual situation must demonstrate that you genuinely plan to stay in Australia temporarily.

Followings are the factors that considered during assessment of the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) and requirement includes:

--Your personal circumstances in your home country

--Your potential circumstances in Australia

--The value of the course work to your future

--Immigration history of the applicant

--Any other issue that is relevant to your purpose to remain in Australia temporarily.

If you are a minor the objective of your parent, lawful guardian or spouse will also be considered.

The information given in your application form and supporting documentation will be used to assess the GTE requirement. You may be asked to provide additional information in relation to the factors set out above.

Financial requirements

You must have sufficient money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your partner and your dependent children for the period of your stay in Australia. You must also have enough money to support your partner and dependent children, even if they do not travel with you to Australia.

Note: Specific monetary requirements apply to fully funded students.

If an employer or Corporation is sponsoring you, it is a must to conduct a commercial activities outside the country in which it is based. They must also occupy you in a role in relation to which your main course is of direct relevance.

Health requirements

You must meet certain health requirements and may need to undertake a health examination.

The requirements vary based on:

--Your time period of stay in Australia

--Other health risks in your home country or countries you have visited for more than three months within the last five years.

Health examinations can be finished before you lodge your visa application, but no more than six months before your course begins.

Health insurance

It is a must to have your health insurance while in Australia. Health insurance can be given by obtaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) which provides medical and hospital insurance.

You can request your education provider to organize OSHC for you, or you can decide on an approved OSHC provider yourself and pay the insurance.

Exceptions: You do not want OSHC if you are:

--A student from Norwegian, covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme

--A student from Swedish, covered by the National Board of Student Aid.

--A student from Belgian, covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia.

If the student is studying at more than one educational provider and both are arranging OSHC, you will have to make sure that there is no gap between policies. This describe that as one policy expires the next commences immediately.

OSHC is accessible for a period of up to five years. If the student course goes beyond five years in length, then OSHC providers may issue cover for a longer period.

After your arrival if a child born in Australia and you only has a single OSHC policy you must change that to a family policy. If family members join you after your arrival in Australia they will have to demonstrate that they have an OSHC policy for the period of their visas.

Proof of insurance: When you lodge your application, you must give a receipt or other proof of your OSHC payment. The OSHC should initiate when you arrive in Australia.

English language skills

Make contact with your Australian education provider who will advise you about the level of English you need and the evidence you must provide.

Academic record and history

Your education provider will counsel you of the academic results you need and the evidence you must provide.

Character requirements

You must be of good character to enter Australia. The information you give on the 'Character Declaration' segment of your application will be used to assess your character.

Debts to the Australian Government

To enter Australia you must either qualified the followings:

--Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government

--Have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government.

Students under 18 years

Students under 18 years of age have particular visa requirements.

Parental permission

If you are under 18 years of age, your parents and/or anyone who can lawfully make a decision where you can live must give permission for you to study in Australia.

If any of these people cannot sign your visa application on your behalf, they must sign one of the following factors:

--A statutory statement giving their permission. You must submit this statement with your application.

--The permission form for children under the age of 18 years

Accommodation and welfare arrangements

If you are under 18 years of age, you must have satisfactory arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare for the time period of your student visa or until you turn 18 (whichever happens first).

You must show the followings that you will either:

--Live in Australia with your parent or lawful guardian

--Live in Australia with a family member over 21 years of age who is nominated by your parent or lawful guardian

--Live in Australia under a welfare arrangement that has been accepted by your education provider.

Welfare provided by a parent or legal custodian

If your parent or lawful guardian will be providing welfare for you during your stay in Australia this should be mentioned on your application form.

Welfare provided by a relative

If a family member will be providing welfare for you during your stay in Australia your parents and/or lawful guardian will need to give their permission for this arrangement on your application form and your family member must be nominated.

Your nominated family member must be one of the following:

--brother or sister

--stepbrother or stepsister

--step-parent

--grandparent

--step-grandparent

--aunt or uncle

--step-aunt or step-uncle

--niece or nephew

--step-niece or step-nephew

--Spouse.

They must also:

--Be aged over 21 years of age

--Be qualified to remain in Australia until your visa expires or you turn 18 (whichever happens first)

--Be of good character.

You can also arrange to bring a family member to Australia as your guardian on a Student Guardian visa.

Welfare provided by an education provider

Your parents and/or lawful guardian can give their permission on your application form for your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements to be provided by the student education provider.

If your welfare is being permitted by your education provider you will need to submit with your application a signed statement from the provider which verify the start and end dates of these welfare arrangements. This letter is named as a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) letter and if granted, your visa end date will correspond with the welfare dates on the letter.

If you are already in Australia when you lodge an application you need to demonstrate evidence of ample arrangements for welfare when you lodge your student visa application.

If your welfare arrangements are accepted by your education provider you cannot travel to Australia until your welfare arrangements begins. Your welfare arrangements begin on the welfare start date that your education provider has nominated on the CAAW.

Note: Education providers are not appreciative to approve friends or other family members as a home stay provider for you. A home stay provider must meet requirements to be accepted as student guardians.

Change of welfare arrangements

It is an obligation of your visa that suitable welfare arrangements be maintained during your stay in Australia. If you do not maintain enough welfare arrangements during your stay in Australia your student visa may be cancelled.

If you mean to change your welfare arrangements at any time you must have written endorsement for this change. Depending on your circumstances, this approval must come from your parents/lawful guardian or your education provider and the department must be informed.

If you are changing your welfare arrangements from education provider permitted arrangements to welfare provided by a family member, you must lodge a completed form 157N with the department.

If you do not maintain enough welfare arrangements during your stay in Australia your student visa may be cancelled.

Australian Values Statement

If you are aged 18 years or over, you must emphasize that you will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For this visa, the values statement is incorporated in the general declaration segment of the application form. When you sign the application form it declares that you will also be signing the values statement. You will not be essential to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if you wish.

You are also able to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.

You must declare all relatives on your application, even if they do not arrange to travel with you to Australia. If you do not, they will not be able to come as dependants after you have arrived in Australia.

You must also provide evidence of your affiliation to them, in the form of officially issued birth and marriage certificates.

Your dependent relatives must meet the following requirements to be able for this visa.

Genuine temporary entrant requirement

Your dependent family member's individual circumstances must reveal that your dependent relatives genuinely plan to stay in Australia temporarily.

The factors that are considered during assessment of the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement include the followings:

--Your dependent family member's personal circumstances in your home country

--Your dependent family member's potential circumstances in Australia

--Your dependent family member's immigration history

--Any other issues that is relevant to your dependent family member's intention to remain in Australia temporarily.

If you are a minor the purpose of your parent, lawful guardian or spouse will also be considered.

The information given in your application form and supporting documentation will be used to assess the GTE requirement. You may be requested to provide additional information in relevant to the factors set out above.

Financial requirements

It is student responsibility to ensure that you have adequate money to support your family members while they are in Australia.

Health requirements

Your dependent family members must gain certain health requirements and may necessitate undertaking a health examination. The requirements vary based on:

--Period of time that you stay in Australia

--Other health risks in home country or countries visited for more than three months within the last five years.

Note: Health examinations can be finished before you lodge your visa application, but no more than six months before your course begins.

Health insurance

Your relatives must have health insurance while in Australia. You can take them in your Overseas Student Health Cover, which provides medical and hospital insurance.

Proof of insurance: When you lodge your application, you must provide a receipt or other verification of your health insurance payment covering your family members.

Character requirements

Your relatives must be of good character to enter Australia. The information given on the Character Declaration section of your application will be used to assess the character of your relatives.

Australian Values Statement

All visa applicants aged 18 years or over, must declare that they will respect Australian values and comply with the laws of Australia. For applicants of this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration segment of the application form. By signing the form applicants will also be signing the values statement. Applicants for this visa will not be mandatory to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if they want. Visa applicants are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.It is a must to meet the following financial requirements.

Travel, tuition and living expenses

The table below summarizes the amounts in Australian dollars (AUD) that you need access to. It shows the minimum amount that this visa required. They do not essentially show the cost of living in Australia.

Expenses Per Person Amount required in AUD Travel Yourself Return air fare to Australia Family members One return air fare to Australia per person Tuition Yourself Course fees Children aged 5-18 AUD8000 per year Living Yourself AUD18 610 per year Partner AUD6515 per year First child AUD3720 per year Each other child AUD2790 per year

Students

You must uphold your visa conditions while studying and living in Australia or your visa may be cancelled and you may have to leave Australia.

Course enrolment, attendance and progress

You must remain signed up in a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

You must maintain acceptable attendance in your course as required by your education provider.

The student must make satisfactory course improvement for each study period.

Your education provider will inform the department if your attendance or course progress is not satisfactory. The definition of 'satisfactory' is determined by your education provider.

Changing your education provider or course of study

Providing your home address

You must inform your education provider of your home address within seven days of arriving in Australia. Also, if you change your address during your stay in Australia, you must advise your education provider within seven days.

Note: Your education provider wants your home address so they can contact you if you do not satisfy the necessities of your course. If they cannot contact you, this could result in your student visa being cancelled.

'No further stay' or 'further stay restricted' condition

Some visas are issued with a 'no further stay' or 'further stay restricted' condition. This condition defines that you cannot apply to stay in Australia beyond the date specified on your visa, except in certain situation.

Limited situations may include students who want to apply for:

--A student visa with permission to work (using Form 157P or 157P internet)

--A student visa that is supported by a sponsoring government agency

--A Student Guardian visa

--A visa to engage Australia's protection obligations.

Students under 18 years of age

If you are under 18 years of age you must uphold your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements for the duration of your visa or until you turn 18.

If your welfare arrangements are permitted by your education provider you cannot travel to Australia until your welfare arrangements begins. The date your welfare arrangements start is the welfare begin date that your education provider has nominated on the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) letter.

If your welfare arrangements change after your visa has been approved you must inform the department of these changes.

If your parents/lawful guardian accepted your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements for you to stay with a family member in Australia, you must have their written endorsement to change these arrangements.

If your education provider permitted your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements, you must have the education provider's written approval to change these arrangements.

Financial capacity

You must uphold adequate money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your partner and your dependent children for the period of time you stay in Australia.

School age family members

Any relatives of school age (between five and 18 years) living in Australia must be present at school in Australia.

Health insurance

You must uphold health insurance for you and your relatives while in Australia. Health insurance can be given by obtaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) which provides medical and hospital insurance.

Family members

Your relatives must uphold their visa conditions. A breach of these conditions may effect in your visa being cancelled and you may have to leave Australia.

Your relative must:

--Remain a member of your family for the period of time they are stay in Australia

--have ample financial support

--uphold adequate health cover

--Not work more than 40 hours per fortnight, (a fortnight begins on any Monday and ends on the second following Sunday)

Exception: If you are studying a postgraduate degree (Masters or PhD), your dependent family members can work limitless hours.

--Not work before you have began the course

--Attend school if they are of school age.

Important: It is your accountability to make sure that your relatives meet the above conditions.

Limited situation may include students who wish to apply for:

--A student visa with permission to work (using Form 157P or 157P internet)

--A student visa that is supported by a sponsoring government agency

--A Student Guardian visa

-- A visa to involve Australia’s protection obligations.

Applying

Complete applying

When you lodge your application, it is essential that you comprise all the necessary documents with your application. Lodging a complete application assists case officers to promptly process your application.

If you cannot give all the supporting documentation when you lodge your visa application, tell the department which documents are misplaced and when you suppose to provide them. Imperfect applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Attention: If you do not lodge proof of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time you lodge your application, you will not be an appropriate applicant for streamlined visa processing.

Your visa will be related to the passport number you used in your application. You must use the same passport to travel to and from Australia. Your passport should be legitimate for at least six months from the time you lodge the application.

To keep away from significant delays at your departure point for Australia, you must inform the department of new passport details before you travel to Australia.

Application charge

It a must to pay the application charge when you lodge your application.

Other costs

There may also be other costs related with the application, such as translating documents into English. You will also have to pay for any medical examinations.

If essential, you may also require providing a police check. Charges for gaining police checks differ from each country. When required to get your own police checks, you are personally accountable for all arrangements and charges.

Applying online

Starting your online application

Once you initiate your online application, you will be asked a series of questions to decide whether you are qualified to continue. If the system indicates you are not able to continue to apply online, you will need to apply by mail or in person.

Applying by post or in person

Application checklist

The application checklist defines the information and supporting documents that you must give with your application. Complete applications are likely to be processed promptly. Imperfect applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Application form

Complete an application form.

If you are lodging a paper-based visa application in certain countries you will require providing biometrics.

Where to lodge your application?

Lodge your application by post or in person:

When to lodge your application

You should lodge your visa application at least 12 weeks before your course begins.

You should also allocate extra time to make travel and accommodation arrangements for Australia.

If you have already lodged your application and have not yet been allocated a case officer, you can contact us via the Student visa enquiry form.

After you lodge your application

The application will be assessed and you will be informed of any other steps that may require to be completed prior to consideration of the visa decision.

Important: Processing of your application will not persist until all outstanding documentation has been received.

Providing additional information

Supplementary information can be provided in writing at any time until a decision is made on your application. All related information is taken into the consideration.

Invitation to comment

If you are invited to comment on or provide additional information, you will be provided a date by which to do so. After that date, the department can persist processing your application whether you give the information or not. You cannot delay a decision by saying that you might provide additional information later.

Interviews

If you are received an invitation to be present at an interview, you must be there on the date and time agreed with the department. If you do not, the department can take a decision based on the information you have already given in your application.

Change in circumstances

If your situation change, such that an answer in your application or information specified to the department is no longer accurate, you must report to the department as soon as possible.

Important: Your visa may be cancelled if you give wrong information or fail to counsel the department that some information is no longer accurate. Examples of a change in situations include:

--Change of education providers

--New passport

--New member of your family

--Discovery of incorrect information in your application

--Change of address or contact details.

You can advice the department by a completed form related to your change of circumstances.

Adding family members to your application

If your child is born after you lodge your application but before a decision has been taken, you must report to the department in writing of the details of the newborn child. You must comprise a certified copy of the child's full birth certificate.

If you get married or enter a de facto relationship, you must report to the department in writing about your partner's details.

Any family members added to your application must also meet the suitable requirements.

Withdrawing your application

You can take out your application by advising the department in writing at any time before a decision is taken. Any charges paid at the time of application are generally not refunded.

Abiding by your visa conditions

If you are in Australia while your application is being processed you must persist to meet the conditions of your existing visa or it may be cancelled. If you do not meet the conditions of your current visa, this may also affect the result of your application.

Visa decision

A decision on your application will be taken based on the information you give, your circumstances at the time the application is completed, and the lawful requirements which apply at that time. The application may be decided solely on the basis of information given in this application.

If accepted the department will send a Notification of Grant letter to your nominated postal or email address. It is suggested that you print this letter and keep it with you when you travel to and from Australia. This letter includes:

--your Visa Grant Number

--the validity date of your visa

--The visa conditions.

If not accepted the department will send you a notification letter advising you of:

--The reasons for the rejection

--Your review rights

--Time restrictions for lodging an appeal.

Your rights for a review of the decision vary:

--if you lodged in Australia, the rejection of the letter advises you of your review rights and the time restrictions for lodging an appeal

--if you lodged outside Australia, the applicant has no right for a review of the merits of the decision

Passport details

Your visa will be related to the passport number you used in your application. You must use the same passport to travel to Australia. This passport should be valid at least for the period of six months from the time of lodging the application.

Important: To avoid important delays at your departure point for Australia, you must inform the department of new passport details before you travel to Australia.

Visa label

Australia does not want you to have a label in your passport to travel to, enter or remain in Australia.

It is suitable that you keep a copy of your visa grant notification with you when you travel. Your visa is connected electronically to the passport details given in your visa application. You can view your visa online through Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It let you, and your employer or education provider, to view your visa details online.

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

If you apply online and your visa is granted, the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service will permit you to check the following:

--Details

--Entitlements

--Grant number

--Conditions.

Note: You must give a password for VEVO in your online application to access the VEVO service. The VEVO service may also be followed by government agencies to help assess your eligibility for government services.

The department will disclose information about your visa to an employer or other party only with your approval. You can give your approval to an enquiry about your visa entitlements by providing the employer or other party with your name, date of birth, passport number and passport country of issue.

Application processing times

Application processing times differ and the time it takes to complete an application is affected by a range of factors.

Certified documents

Do not supply original documents with your application if not asked to do so.

Note: Police checks are the exception. You must provide original police checks. Applicant should provide 'certified copies' of original documents. 'Certified copies' are copies certified, or stamped as being true copies of originals, by a person or agency recognized by the law of the country in which you currently reside. All departmental offices outside Australia have the facility to certify or witness documents if essential; this service may attract a charge.

Translating documents into English

Documents in languages other than English that you given with your application must also be accompanied by a correct English translation of each of those documents.

If you are applying for a visa outside Australia and you are having documents translated outside Australia, it is suggested that you use a translator who is professionally qualified.

If you are applying for a visa in Australia and you are having documents translated in Australia, it is suggested that you use a translator who has been recognized by the National Accreditation Authority for Translations and Interpreters (NAATI). More information on NAATI is available from their website.

Communicating electronically with the department

The department may use a variety of means to communicate with you. Electronic means such as fax or email will only be used if you specify your agreement to receiving communication in this way in Form 1193.

To process your application the department may require communicating with you about sensitive information,

Example health, police checks, financial viability and personal relationships. Electronic communications unless sufficiently encrypted are not secure and may be viewed by others or interfered with. If you agree with the department communicating with you by electronic means the details you provide will only be used by the department for the intention for which you have given them, unless there is a lawful commitment or necessity to use them for another purpose, or you have approved to use for another purpose. They will not be added to any mailing list

The Commonwealth Government accepts no responsibility for the security or honesty of any information sent to the department over the internet or by other electronic Medias.

If you give permission to another person to receive documents on your behalf and they wish to be contacted electronically, their signature is required on the form to indicate their permission to this form of communication. If you or your authorized recipient choose not to communicate with the department electronically and would prefer to receive communication by way of post, then your application may take longer to complete if the department needs to contact you about your application.

Appointing an authorized recipient

A certified recipient is someone you appoint to receive written communications from the department about your application. A certified recipient must be a natural person and cannot be a business, a corporation or an organization.

The department will communicate with the most recently appointed certified recipient, as you may only appoint one certified recipient at any one time.

To appoint a certified recipient you need to complete and return to the department Form 956 – Appointment or withdrawal of an authorized recipient. You do not want to separate complete Form 956A if you are being assisted in your application by a migration agent or an exempt person and they have completed Form 956 – Advice of a Migration Agent/exempt person of immigration assistance.

When the department made a decision relating to your visa application, the appointment of a certified recipient will come to an end. This means that if the department needs to communicate with you after you have been notified of the result of your visa application, the department will communicate with you directly.

Assistance in completing applications

If you decide to receive assistance completing this application, be aware that section 98 of the Migration Act 1958 gives that where an application is completed by someone on behalf of the applicant, then the applicant is taken to have finished the application him/herself; and is accountable for any information given in the application.