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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Getting Help to Apply for a Visa

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Using a migration agent in Australia

If you choose to use a migration agent you should use a registered migration agent.
See: Using a Migration Agent in Australia

People who can assist you without being registered (exempt persons)

The following exempt persons may help you if they do not charge a fee:

  • your partner, parent, brother, sister, child or adopted child
  • sponsors and nominators
  • parliamentarians and their staff
  • officials whose duties include providing immigration assistance
  • members of diplomatic missions, consular posts or international organisations.

They will need to use Form 956 to notify the department they are acting on your behalf.
See: Form 956 – Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance (134KB PDF file)

Role of the exempt person

If you appoint an exempt person to act on your behalf, the department will discuss your application with them, seek further information from them and (if also appointed as your authorised recipient) send them any written communication which would otherwise have been sent to you.

If you withdraw or terminate the appointment of your exempt person, they should advise the department in writing or using Form 956.

Organisations providing help

There are organisations who may be able to help you if you cannot afford a registered migration agent.
See:

Assistance is also available from your local Migrant Resource Centre (MRC). There are some 200 Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in Australia which provide legal assistance in a wide range of matters. A list of all CLCs is available on their website.
See: National Association of Community Legal Centres

If you need help communicating in English the department provides interpreting services through the Translating and Interpreting Service.
See: Translation and Interpreting Services