Information to Help You Prepare Your Application
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Make sure you read all the information provided in the links below before you lodge your application.
Certified documents
Do not supply original documents with your application unless asked to do so.
Note: Police checks are the exception. You must provide original police checks.
You should provide 'certified copies' of original documents. 'Certified copies' are copies authorised, or stamped as being true copies of originals, by a person or agency recognised by the law of the country in which you currently reside. All departmental offices outside Australia have the facility to certify or witness documents and statutory declarations if necessary; this service may attract a charge.
See: Immigration Offices outside Australia
In Australia, statutory declarations must be witnessed by a person prescribed by the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 and Regulations. These people include, but are not limited to, those who are a: Justice of the Peace, medical practitioner, legal practitioner, dentist, nurse, police officer, pharmacist.
A full list of people authorised to witness statutory declarations can be found in the Statutory Declarations Regulations 1993 which are available from the Attorney-General's Department.
See: Attorney General's Department Website
Translating documents into English
Documents in languages other than English, that you provide with your application must also be accompanied by an accurate 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 recommended 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 recommended that you use a translator who has been accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translations and Interpreters (NAATI). Further information on NAATI is available from their website.
See: NAATI Website
Communicating electronically with the department
The department may use a range of means to communicate with you. Electronic means such as fax or email will only be used if you indicate your agreement to receiving communication in this way.
To process your application the department may need to communicate with you about sensitive information, for example health, police checks, financial viability and personal relationships. Electronic communications unless adequately 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 purpose for which you have provided them, unless there is a legal obligation or necessity to use them for another purpose, or you have consented to use for another purpose. They will not be added to any mailing list.
The Commonwealth Government accepts no responsibility for the security or integrity of any information sent to the department over the internet or by other electronic means.
If you authorise 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 consent to this form of communication. If you 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 finalise.
If you have nominated a migration agent or a third person to receive communications on your behalf, the department will communicate with them. If your agent or nominated person does not consent to receive communications electronically from the department, all written communications will be sent to their postal address.
Using a migration agent
You are not required to use a Migration Agent. If you want to use a Migration Agent you must read the information for clients using a Migration Agent.
See: Using a Migration Agent
Assistance in completing applications
If you choose to receive assistance completing this application, be aware that section 98 of the Migration Act 1958 provides that where an application is completed by someone on behalf of the applicant, then the applicant is taken to have completed the application him/herself; and is responsible for any information provided in the application.