After You Lodge Your Application
On this page
Processing time
The table below provides guidance on processing times for applications.
| Lodgement method | Application processing time |
|---|---|
Online |
48 hours |
By post, courier or in person |
Contact your nearest departmental office overseas. |
Note: You must not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised that your visa has been granted.
Interview requirements
The department will contact you if you are required to attend an interview. You may be requested to bring your passport and other supporting documentation to the interview.
Checking the progress of your application
Online applications
You will be provided with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) to check the status of your online application after it has been lodged. A TRN is a unique number assigned to each successfully lodged online application. It is important that you record this number as it is used to:
- identify your application when you contact the department
- access information about the progress of your application online.
See: Check the progress of your online application
| Your current location | Contact details for the department |
|---|---|
In Australia |
Telephone: 131 881 |
Outside Australia |
|
Iranian applicants |
|
USA applicants |
Email: Hobart Processing Centre |
Applications by mail or in person
Contact the departmental office where you lodged your paper application.
See: Immigration Offices outside Australia
Visa decision
If your visa is approved, you will receive a grant notification letter at your nominated email or postal address. Please keep this notification as it describes the conditions that apply to your visa. It will contain:
- your visa grant number
- the validity date of your visa
- the visa conditions
- full details of what you must do next.
Note: You must not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised that your visa has been granted.
Notifying change of passport details
Your visa application is linked to the passport number used in your application and you must use the same passport to travel to Australia.
If you obtain a new passport after lodging your Work and Holiday visa application (e.g. if your passport is stolen, lost, damaged or expires), you must advise the department of the new details, including:
- passport number
- date of issue
- expiry date
You may do so either by email or by faxing a copy of the biodata/photo page of your new passport.
If you fail to advise the department of your new passport prior to your travel, you may be refused or delayed entry until your identity and claims to enter Australia have been checked.
The table below provides contact details for passport detail changes.
| Visa type/where lodged | Lodgement method | Contact for updating passport details |
|---|---|---|
| Work and Holiday visa application lodged outside Australia | Paper | See: Immigration Offices outside Australia |
| Online | Email: Hobart Processing Centre |
Visa label
You do not require a visa label in your passport unless advised by the department in your visa grant notification letter. Your visa is linked electronically to the passport details provided in your visa application.
You can view your visa online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows you, and your employer or education provider, to view your visa details online.
See: Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Visa Holders
Note: It is advisable that you keep a copy of your visa grant notification with you when you travel.
If necessary, you can arrange to have a visa label placed in your passport at a departmental office.
- If you are in Chile, you can have your visa evidenced at the Australian Embassy in Santiago.
- If you are in Thailand, you can have your visa evidenced at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok.
- If you are in Turkey, you can have your visa evidenced at the Australian Embassy in Ankara.
- If you are in the USA you can have your visa evidenced when you arrive in Australia.
See: Australian Offices
Checking your visa conditions online
You can check your visa details, including your visa grant number and visa conditions, using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. You can use either your TRN or the password that you recorded at the end of your online visa application. If you do not have a password or have forgotten it, you can obtain a new one by calling 131 881 within Australia.
See:
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Visa Holders
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Organisations
More information
For more information about your application.
See: More information