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Lodging Applications

1.  What kind of applications can be lodged online?

You can apply online for review of a visa-related decision made by the Department of Home Affairs.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

2.  Do I have to apply online?

No. You can still apply to us using the paper form lodged in person, by fax or by post. Our contact details are listed on our website ‘Contact us’.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

3.  Who can lodge online?

Anyone who is entitled to apply for review of a visa-related decision made by the department can apply online to us. Lawyers, migration agents and other persons (such as sponsor employers) who may represent applicants can apply online on their behalf.

The Department of Home Affairs letter notifying the decision will specify whether the decision can be reviewed by us and who may apply for that review.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

4.  What are the benefits to me of applying online?

The benefits of applying online are:

  • you can use it 24 hours a day / seven days a week
  • it is a quick and secure method of lodging an application
  • it reduces the risk of not applying within the time limit
  • it provides a quick confirmation that we have received your application
  • where payment is required, it provides immediate confirmation of successful payment or immediate notification of unsuccessful payment
  • it allows registered users to attach documents and images at any time during the course of the review
  • for lawyers, migration agents and other frequent users, it automatically populates the representative’s details each time a new application is made from a previously registered account

5.  Do I need to register or create an account to apply online?

There are benefits to becoming a registered user. Registered users can:

  • attach documents and images at any time during the course of the review
  • receive an automatic confirmation of receipt to all documents lodged
  • view and copy documents that were previously submitted to us

For lawyers, migration agents and other persons who frequently lodge applications with us, the representative’s details are automatically populated each time a new application is made from a previously registered account.

Registration takes only a few minutes.

You will need to register if you want to save a partially completed application and return to complete it at a later time. If you do not register, any entered information will be lost when your web browser is closed.

Registration is not mandatory. If you do not wish to take advantage of the benefits of becoming a registered user, you can still apply online without creating an account.

6.  Who can register to apply online?

Anyone applying online can become a registered user, such as an individual who wants a visa-related decision of the department reviewed, a lawyer or migration agent who has visa applicants as clients, or someone such as an employer sponsor who wants to apply for a review on behalf of a visa applicant.

7.  How do I become a registered user?

Click on the “Register” button and follow the prompts.

If you want to register once you have started the application, hit “Save” and you will be prompted to register as a user.

You must register (or login to your existing account) before you submit your application if you want to use all the features of the online facility, including the ability to attach documents and images at any time during the course of the review. You cannot retrospectively register for an application that has already been submitted.
 

Registration takes only a few minutes.

8.  Can I get interpreting and translating assistance?

Yes. For assistance in your language please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 (local call cost only) or visit our Language assistance page.

9.  Do I need to have a lawyer or migration agent to apply online?

No. You can deal with us directly or you can appoint someone to represent you and act on your behalf in relation to your application.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

10.  Can I submit my online application in another language?

No. All applications must be completed in English.

11.  Who should I contact if I need help completing my online application?

Contact details can be found on the ‘Contact us’ page on our website

We will respond to your enquiry during office hours – 8.30am – 5.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday.  Enquiries received outside business hours will be responded to on the next business day. You can also phone us during office hours to seek assistance with an urgent query.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

Submitting Documents and Images

12.  Can I attach documents and images to my application?

Yes. You may attach documents and images when you apply online.

  • Acceptable formats are:
  • MS word documents (.doc, .docx)
  • Images (.jpg, .gif)
  • PDF (.pdf)

Documents can be up to ten megabytes (10MB) each.

13.  Can I submit other documents after I apply online?

Yes. Registered users can attach documents and images online at any time during the course of the review. Registered users will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt to all documents lodged, and will also be able to view and copy documents that were previously submitted to us. See User Guide.

Acceptable formats are:

  • MS word documents (.doc, .docx)
  • Images (.jpg, .gif)
  • PDF (.pdf)

Documents can be up to ten megabytes (10MB) each.

Non-registered users can also provide documents and images at any time during the course of the review, but this must be done by email, in person, by post, or by fax. Non-registered users will not receive confirmation of receipt by us. Registered users can also provide documents and images by email, in person, by post, or by fax to us.

Technical Issues

14.  Can I apply online on any computer?

Yes. You can apply online on any computer that has an up-to-date browser and JavaScript enabled.

15.  How long can I work on an application before the session times out?

Your session will time out after approximately two hours and any unsaved information you have provided will be lost. You can become a registered user and save your application at any time. Registration takes only a few minutes.

16.  Do I have to complete an application in one session?

No.  If you are a registered user you can save your application at any time.

If you do not register, your session will time out after approximately two hours and any unsaved information you have entered will be lost.

It is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method – see apply for review - migration and refugee?

17.  What do I do if my computer freezes while completing the application?

If you close your browser or restart your computer you will lose any information you have entered. You can avoid this by saving your application as you go.

To save your application you need to register, which you can do at any time before the application has been submitted

18.  How will I know you have received my application?

When we receive your application a confirmation screen will appear to confirm that your application has been received.

You will also be sent a confirmation email to the email address provided if you have successfully submitted your application or documents and images. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your Spam or junk folder and, if it has not been received, please contact us.

If you do not supply a valid email address you will not receive the confirmation email.

Fees

19.  Does it cost extra to apply online?

No. Any application fee payable is the same whether you apply online, by post, by fax or in person.

20.  Do I have to pay an application fee when applying online?

Yes. Any application fee that is payable must be paid in full, using either a Visa or Mastercard at the time you apply online. Whether a fee is payable at the time of applying depends on the type of decision to be reviewed:

Decision about a protection visa No Fee*
Decision about a bridging visa that resulted in a person being placed in immigration detention No Fee
All other decisions $3,374

*If the application for review is not successful a fee of $2,076 will be payable.

21.  What credit cards can I use to pay the fee?

Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted.

22.  Are my credit card details secure from others?

Yes. Payments are processed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Further information on the security features of the Commonwealth Bank’s online payment system is available from the Commonwealth Bank’s website www.commbank.com.au.

23.  Will the tribunals store my credit card details?

No.

24.  Can I apply for a fee reduction when I apply online?

If an application fee is payable, it must be paid in full at the time of lodging online. If you would like to apply for a fee reduction on the grounds of severe financial hardship, you can upload a completed fee reduction form and attach it to your online application, or you can submit the completed form by email, in person, by post or by fax. You will need to provide financial statements and other supporting evidence to justify a fee reduction.

25.  What should I do if my payment cannot be processed?

An application will only be submitted successfully online if your credit card payment is processed.

If your credit card payment is not processed, you can print the completed application and lodge your application by fax, post or in person. Information about other ways to lodge your application is available on our website page - apply for review - migration and refugee?

If you are a registered user, you can save your application and try to pay the fee again later.

However, it is important that you are aware of the applicable time limit for you to lodge your application for review and use an appropriate method– see apply for review - migration and refugee?

Security of Personal Information Provided

26.  How is my personal information protected?

For the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information we are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Migration Act 1958. Further information is available on our Privacy page.

27.  How will the information that I provide be used?

We use information you provide to assess your review application. Under the Migration Act 1958 (the Act), the information you provide us may also be used in connection with other purposes relating to the administration of the Act.

Any information you provide may be provided to other individuals or organisations for the purpose of reviews conducted under the Act.

For example, we may seek an opinion, information or records from an organisation or person as part of a review.

In reviews of protection visa decisions, hearings are confidential and not open to the public. In reviews of other decisions, information provided to us may become public during a hearing. Hearings are usually open to the public.

If we prepare a written statement of the reasons for our decision in your case, it may be made public and published on the AustLII website. In cases about protection visas, the published decision will not include names or other details which may identify the applicant or any relative or other dependant of the applicant. Decisions in other types of cases are usually published in full.

More information about the decisions we publish, including our Publication of Decisions Policy, can be found here.

Post Lodgement

28.  What happens after I apply online?

You will receive an email with your online lodgement reference number to confirm that we have received your application, with the date and time noted. If there is a fee payable, a tax receipt will also be sent to you.

We will then send you a letter providing you with a case reference number, details of the contact case officer and invite you to send any documents, information or other evidence you want the tribunals to consider. We will also ask the Department of Home Affairs to send us relevant documents relating to your case.

29.  How will you communicate with me during the review process?

If you lodge your application online we will communicate with you by email.

30.  Can I monitor the progress of my application online?

No. You will still need to contact us to check the progress of your application.

32.  Does applying online speed up the review process?

No. We do not give priority to applications lodged online over those lodged by other means.

33.  What if my contact details change?

It is important that you advise us promptly of any change in your contact details such as address changes and any change to your personal details such as marriage status if that relates to your case.  You should also advise the Department of Home Affairs of any change in address. If you have authorised another person to receive correspondence on your behalf, you must advise us promptly of any changes in their contact details.