Decisions on Applications

A letter about the decision on your application will be sent to your nominated email or postal address. It is recommended that you keep this letter for your records.

If the sponsorship is approved

This letter will:

• confirm your sponsorship approval
• advise you of the dates for which the sponsorship is valid.

If the nomination is approved

This letter will:

• confirm your nomination approval
• advise you of the validity date of your nomination.

If the visa is approved

This letter will:

• confirm your visa approval
• tell you your visa grant number
• let you know of any conditions attached to the visa
• advise you of the dates from which the visa is valid.

While not evidence of your visa approval, it is strongly recommended that you keep this letter with you when you travel to and from Australia.

It is recommended that you keep your visa grant number with you, as you may have to provide it as a reference number to the department. The visa grant number is an important means to identify you as the holder of a valid visa in the department's computer systems.

Note: You should not make travel arrangements to Australia until after you have been granted your visa.

Refusal of your application

You will be notified in writing of the decision to refuse your application and the reasons for refusal. You will also be advised if you may seek a review of the decision made and the time you have to do so or your time limit to depart Australia. The review will address the merits of the decision and will be undertaken by a body independent of the department.

You or the person you have authorised to act and receive communication on your behalf, will be taken to have received the letter:

• seven (7) working days after the date of the letter, if the letter was sent to an address in Australia
  or
• 21 working days after the date of the letter, if the letter was sent to an address outside Australia.

If the letter is handed to you, you will be taken to have been notified at that moment.

If the letter is faxed or emailed to you, you will be taken to have been notified at the end of the day it was faxed or emailed.