You can apply for an Australian visa yourself. You do it online through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs' free system.
ImmiAccount is mandatory: Almost all Australian visa applications must be lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount system. Creating an account is free; you only pay when you submit an application.
Before you start: Know your visa subclass. Use the official Visa Finder to identify which visa fits your situation. The wrong visa choice wastes money and time.
Document specs: Files must be under 5MB each, in PDF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP format. No compressed or encrypted files. You can attach 30-60 documents depending on visa type.
You can add documents after lodging: Log into ImmiAccount, click "View details" on your application, then "Attach documents." Do this as soon as possible since some visas require documents at lodgement.
Common mistakes that cause refusal: Inconsistent information, insufficient proof of funds, failing to prove genuine temporary intent, and providing poor quality or unverifiable documents.
Know when to get help: Simple tourist visas from low-risk countries? DIY is fine. Complex visas, previous refusals, or high-risk nationalities? Professional assistance significantly improves your chances.
If you've ever stared at the Australian immigration website feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. The official Department of Home Affairs site is notoriously difficult to navigate, the forms ask questions that seem designed to confuse, and the stakes feel impossibly high. One mistake could mean refusal, wasted money, or worse.
Here's the truth: applying for an Australian visa yourself is absolutely possible. Millions of people do it successfully every year. But "possible" and "straightforward" aren't the same thing. This guide walks you through the entire process, from creating your ImmiAccount to tracking your decision, with the insider knowledge that makes the difference between a smooth experience and a stressful one.
We've based this guide on official Department of Home Affairs information, our experience helping thousands of applicants, and the questions we hear most often from people navigating this system for the first time.
Should you apply yourself or get professional help?
It depends on two things: how complex your case is, and your nationality. People from low-risk countries apply for simple ETAs and eVisitors on their own all the time. But if you hold a high-risk passport, have been refused before, or need a complex visa, professional help genuinely changes the outcome.
Some applications really are straightforward. Others carry enough risk that professional help is not just nice to have. It can be the difference between a grant and a refusal.
When does DIY make sense?
You're a good candidate for a DIY application if:
You're applying for an ETA or eVisitor: These electronic visas for eligible passport holders (US, UK, EU, Japan, etc.) are nearly automatic. The process takes minutes, costs AUD $20 (ETA) or is free (eVisitor), and approval is usually instant.
You're from a low-risk country with straightforward circumstances: If you hold a UK, German, or similar passport, have stable employment, clear travel plans, and no immigration history issues, a tourist visa application is relatively uncomplicated.
You're comfortable with bureaucratic processes: If you've successfully navigated other government systems, can follow instructions precisely, and have time to research requirements, you can likely handle a DIY application.
Your situation is genuinely simple: Single applicant, clear purpose, good travel history, strong home ties, no criminal record, no previous visa refusals.
When is professional help worth it?
Consider getting a migration agent or immigration lawyer involved if:
You're from a high-risk country: Applicants from countries with high overstay rates face significantly more scrutiny. Refusal rates for some nationalities exceed 30%. Professional preparation can mean the difference between approval and refusal.
You have a complex immigration history: Previous visa refusals, overstays, or cancellations anywhere in the world complicate every future application. How you present this history matters enormously.
You're applying for a complex visa: Partner visas, skilled migration visas, and employer-sponsored visas have intricate requirements, extensive evidence needs, and significant consequences if done poorly.
You have a criminal record: Any criminal history requires careful handling. Presenting it incorrectly can result in refusal and potentially a 3-year ban.
The stakes are high: If refusal would be catastrophic, such as separation from family, loss of job opportunity, or significant financial impact, the cost of professional assistance is insurance worth having.
You've been refused before: Reapplying after refusal requires understanding exactly why you were refused and how to address those concerns. The same application will get the same result.
Tern Tip
At Tern, we handle the complexity while keeping costs reasonable. Our platform guides you through the application, automatically cross-checks your documents to catch discrepancies, and every submission is reviewed before it goes to the Department. It's the middle ground between expensive traditional agents and risky DIY for higher-stakes situations.
How do I find the right visa for my situation?
Use the official Visa Finder. It is the Department of Home Affairs' tool for matching your situation to a visa subclass. Picking the wrong visa is one of the most common and costly mistakes: it wastes your non-refundable fee, delays your plans, and can create problems for later applications.
How do I use the official Visa Finder?
The Department of Home Affairs provides a Visa Finder tool. It asks about your situation and suggests relevant visa options.
How to use it:
Select what you want to do: visit, work, study, join family, or other options
Answer questions about your circumstances
Review the suggested visa subclasses
Read the eligibility requirements for each option carefully
The tool is a starting point, not a final answer. It may suggest multiple options, and choosing between them requires understanding the differences.
What are the common Australian visa types?
Visiting Australia:
ETA (subclass 601): For passport holders from USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan. Up to 3 months, AUD $20, usually instant approval.
eVisitor (subclass 651): For European passport holders (UK, EU countries, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland). Up to 3 months, free, usually instant approval.
Visitor visa (subclass 600): For everyone else, or if you need longer than 3 months. Costs AUD $250+, requires supporting evidence, processing takes days to weeks.
Working in Australia:
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417/462): For young people (18-30 or 18-35 depending on country) wanting to work and travel. Limited to certain nationalities.
Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): Requires employer sponsorship and occupation on the skilled occupation list.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): Points-tested visa for skilled workers not requiring sponsorship.
Studying in Australia:
Student visa (subclass 500): For full-time study at an Australian institution. Requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Joining family in Australia:
Partner visa (subclass 820/801 onshore or 309/100 offshore): For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Various family visas: For parents, children, and other relatives, each with different subclasses and requirements.
What should I confirm before choosing a visa?
Before selecting a visa, be clear on:
What's your main purpose? Tourism, work, study, or family?
How long do you need to stay? Days, weeks, months, or permanently?
Where will you apply from? Some visas must be applied for outside Australia, others from inside.
What's your nationality? This determines which visas you're eligible for and which pathway is fastest.
Do you have any connection to Australia? Australian partners, employers, or educational institutions open specific pathways.
Getting this wrong costs money and time. If you're unsure, the official visa page for each subclass lists detailed eligibility criteria. Read these carefully before committing.
How do I create an ImmiAccount?
You create a free ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register. You enter and verify an email address, set a password, turn on multi-factor authentication, and add your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.
What do I need before starting?
Gather these items before you begin:
A valid email address you can access (you'll need to verify it)
Your full legal name as it appears on your passport
Your date of birth
A phone number where you can be reached
A secure password you'll remember
What are the steps to register?
Step 1: Go to the registration page
Visit online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register. This is the official Department of Home Affairs site. Don't use any third-party sites claiming to offer ImmiAccount access.
Step 2: Enter your email address
Use an email you check regularly. All communication about your visa application comes through ImmiAccount and this email address. If you miss a request for information because you don't check your email, your application could be refused.
You'll receive a verification code at this email address. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive within a few minutes.
Step 3: Verify your email
Enter the verification code sent to your email. This confirms you have access to the email address you provided.
Step 4: Create your password
Your password must be strong. Requirements include:
At least 9 characters
A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
At least one number
At least one special character
Choose something secure but memorable. If you forget your password, you'll need to go through a recovery process.
Step 5: Set up security questions
You'll select security questions and provide answers. These are used if you need to recover your account. Write down your answers somewhere secure, as you'll need them if you ever lose access.
Step 6: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
ImmiAccount now requires multi-factor authentication for security. You'll typically set this up using an authenticator app on your phone (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator). Download the app before starting if you don't have one.
Step 7: Choose account type
Select "Individual" when asked what type of account you need. The "Organisation" option is for migration agents, employers, and other entities managing multiple applications.
Step 8: Enter your personal details
Provide your:
Full name exactly as it appears on your passport
Date of birth
Phone number
Address (current residential address)
Your name in ImmiAccount must exactly match your passport. If your passport says "Robert James Smith," don't enter "Bob Smith" or "Robert J. Smith." This prevents processing delays and potential issues with your application.
Step 9: Complete registration
Review your details and submit. You'll be logged into your new ImmiAccount dashboard, ready to start an application.
What if I run into registration problems?
Can't receive verification email:
Check spam/junk folders
Try a different email provider (Gmail and Outlook generally work well)
Ensure you typed the email address correctly
MFA app not working:
Ensure your phone's date and time are set automatically
Try regenerating the QR code
Use a different authenticator app
Forgotten password or locked out:
Use the "I have forgotten my ImmiAccount username or password" link
If you've lost access to your MFA app, use the "I no longer have access to my multi-factor authentication app" link
Have your security question answers ready
How do I start my first visa application?
Log in to ImmiAccount and click "New application". Choose your visa category and subclass, check you meet the basic eligibility, then click "Apply". The exact form varies by visa type, but the flow is the same.
How do I navigate to the right application form?
Log into ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
From your dashboard, click "New application"
Select the visa category that matches your purpose (e.g., "Visitor," "Work," "Student")
Choose the specific visa subclass
Confirm you meet the basic eligibility requirements shown
Click "Apply" to begin
What sections does the application form contain?
Most visa applications are divided into sections:
Application context: Who is applying, from where, relationship to other applicants
Personal details: Name, date of birth, passport information, contact details
Travel details: When you plan to arrive, how long you'll stay, purpose of visit
Education and employment: Your background, current job, qualifications
Health: Questions about your health status and whether examinations are required
Character: Questions about criminal history, military service, visa history
Declarations: Confirming the information is true and complete
Document upload: Attaching supporting evidence
Payment: Paying the visa application charge
You don't have to complete everything in one sitting. You can save your progress and return later to continue.
ImmiAccount's auto-save is unreliable. It sometimes saves after certain steps, but often doesn't, and there's no warning when it hasn't. Always manually click "Save" before navigating away, switching tabs, or logging out. Losing a half-completed application because you assumed it saved is more common than it should be.
How should I fill out the form?
Be precise with dates: Entry and exit dates, employment start dates, and travel dates should be accurate. Inconsistencies between your application form and your documents raise red flags.
Answer every question: Don't skip questions or leave them blank. If a question doesn't apply to you, look for "Not applicable" or "None" options rather than leaving it empty.
Be consistent: If you say you work for Company X in one section, make sure your employment evidence shows Company X. If your bank statements show deposits from Company Y, you'll need to explain.
Save regularly: As mentioned above, don't rely on auto-save. Click "Save" manually after every section you complete.
Review before submitting: Once you submit and pay, you cannot directly edit your answers. Review every section carefully before submitting. If you later discover an error, you can notify the Department through ImmiAccount: click on your application, then "Update details," then "Notification of incorrect answer(s)." While this option exists, it's always better to get things right the first time.
What do the application form questions actually ask?
The questions test whether you really meet the visa criteria. Three areas matter most: your intent to stay only temporarily, your character, and your health. Once you know what the Department is really asking, the answers get easier.
What is the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test?
For most temporary visas, you'll answer questions designed to assess whether you genuinely intend to stay temporarily. This might include:
Why do you want to visit Australia?
What ties do you have to your home country?
What will you do when you return home?
Do you have family in Australia?
What case officers are really assessing: Will this person leave when their visa expires? Do their circumstances make overstaying likely?
Strong answers demonstrate:
Clear, specific reasons for your visit
Strong ties to home (job, family, property, studies)
A logical reason to return
Realistic travel plans that match your finances
Weak answers are vague, contradictory, or suggest you might not leave.
How do I answer the health questions?
You'll be asked whether you have certain health conditions, have had recent medical treatments, or are pregnant. These questions determine whether you need health examinations before your visa can be granted.
Answer honestly. The Department can require examinations at any time, and undisclosed conditions discovered later can result in visa refusal or cancellation.
For many short-term tourist visas, health examinations aren't required. For longer stays, stays involving healthcare or education work, or stays where you're from a country with high tuberculosis rates, examinations are typically needed.
If examinations are required, you'll receive instructions through ImmiAccount to book with an approved panel physician.
How do I answer the character questions?
Character questions ask about:
Criminal convictions (including spent convictions)
Pending charges
Military service
Deportation or removal from any country
Previous visa refusals or cancellations
Association with certain organizations
You must declare everything, even if you think it's minor or happened long ago. The Department cross-references international databases. Undisclosed history discovered later is treated as providing false information, potentially resulting in a 3-year ban from Australian visas.
Having a criminal record doesn't automatically mean refusal. Minor offences often don't affect visa outcomes. But failing to disclose them is far more serious than the offences themselves.
If you have significant criminal history, consider seeking professional advice on how to present your case.
What about immigration history questions?
You'll be asked about:
Previous Australian visas
Previous visas to other countries
Any visa refusals worldwide
Any overstays in any country
Again, honesty is essential. Immigration systems share data more than most people realize. A visa refusal in the UK or USA will likely appear when Australian authorities check.
If you've had previous issues, explain what happened and what's changed. Circumstances change. People mature. A properly explained past issue is far less damaging than a hidden one.
When and how should I attach documents?
You attach documents in ImmiAccount itself. You can do it as you fill in the form, or after you submit, under "View details" then "Attach documents". Files must be PDFs or images under 5MB each, and most visas accept 30 to 60 documents in total.
What are the document format requirements?
The Department has specific technical requirements:
Accepted formats:
PDF (preferred)
JPEG/JPG
PNG
GIF
BMP
Not accepted:
Compressed files (.zip, .rar)
Encrypted PDFs
Password-protected documents
Word documents (.doc, .docx)
Excel files (.xls, .xlsx)
Size limits:
Maximum 5MB per file
Maximum 30-60 files depending on visa type (usually plenty)
File naming: Use only letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), dashes (-), and underscores (_). Avoid spaces, special characters, and non-English characters. Poor file naming can cause upload errors.
Good: passport_page_1.pdf
Bad: Passport (John's copy) #1.pdf
Which documents do I need to attach?
Requirements vary by visa type. The application form will show a checklist of required and recommended documents. Check your specific visa's page on the Department website for the full list before you start.
Almost every visa requires:
Passport bio page (the page with your photo and details)
Passport photo (meeting specifications)
Most visas also ask for some combination of:
Financial evidence (bank statements, pay slips, tax returns)
Employment or enrolment documentation
Character documents (police certificates from countries you've lived in)
Health examination results (if applicable)
Evidence supporting the purpose of your visa (travel plans, relationship evidence, skills assessments, etc.)
The exact mix depends entirely on your visa type. The application form's document checklist is your primary guide, so follow it closely.
How do I attach documents during the application?
As you move through the application form, you'll reach a section to attach documents. For each document type:
Click "Attach" next to the document category
Select the document type from the dropdown menu
Add a brief description (e.g., "Bank statement - ANZ - Jan 2026")
Click "Browse" to locate the file on your computer
Click "Open" then "Add attachment"
Repeat for additional documents
Tern Tip
Scan original documents, not photocopies or photos of documents. High-quality scans process faster and raise fewer questions. If a document has multiple pages (like a bank statement), combine them into a single PDF rather than uploading separate images of each page.
ImmiAccount's document uploader can be buggy. Uploads sometimes fail silently, and JPEG files in particular are occasionally rejected for no clear reason. If an upload fails, try converting the file to PNG or PDF and uploading again. If problems persist, try a different browser (Chrome tends to work most reliably) or clear your cache and try again.
Should I attach documents before or after submission?
For most visas, you should attach all documents before you submit. Some visa types will be refused if documents aren't provided at lodgement.
However, ImmiAccount allows you to add documents after submission for most visa types. This is useful if:
You're waiting for a document (like a police certificate) that takes time to obtain
You want to lodge quickly and add supporting evidence after
The Department requests additional documents during processing
When in doubt, provide as much as possible upfront. A complete application at lodgement is always processed faster than one requiring follow-up.
How do I submit my application?
To submit, you do a final review, accept the declarations, pay the visa application charge, and click submit. Once the payment goes through, your application is formally lodged and you get a Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
What should I check before submitting?
Before clicking submit:
Have you answered every question?
Is your name exactly as it appears on your passport?
Are dates accurate and consistent?
Have you disclosed everything you need to (travel history, criminal history)?
Are all required documents attached?
Are documents clear, complete, and in the correct format?
Have you read and understood the declarations?
How do I pay the visa application charge?
You pay in ImmiAccount, right before you submit. You can use a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or BPAY. Card payments lodge the application instantly. BPAY can take up to 3 business days to settle. The charge varies by visa type, and ImmiAccount shows you the exact amount before you submit.
Payment methods and surcharges:
Credit and debit card payments are processed immediately, meaning your application is formally lodged the moment you pay. BPAY has no surcharge, but your application is not considered lodged until the payment settles, which can take up to 3 business days. If timing matters (for example, you're close to a visa expiry or a Schedule 3 deadline), pay by card to ensure your application is lodged immediately.
Visa application charges are non-refundable. If your application is refused, you don't get your money back. If you submit the wrong application, you don't get your money back. Make sure you're applying for the right visa before paying.
What happens when I click submit?
After payment, your application is formally lodged. You'll receive:
Transaction Reference Number (TRN): A unique identifier for your application
Acknowledgement letter: Confirmation your application was received
Bridging visa (if onshore): If you applied from within Australia and held a valid visa, a bridging visa is usually granted automatically
Your application status will show as "Received" in ImmiAccount.
How do I add documents after lodgement?
For most visas, you can keep adding documents after you submit. Log into ImmiAccount, find your application, and click "View details" then "Attach documents". Forgot something? Police certificate finally arrived? Got an updated bank statement? You can add it all.
What are the steps to add a document?
Log into ImmiAccount
On the "My applications summary" page, find your application
Click "View details"
Click "Attach documents"
Select the document type from the dropdown
Enter a brief description
Click "Browse" to find your file
Click "Add attachment"
Repeat for additional documents
What are the rules around post-lodgement uploads?
You cannot remove documents once attached. If you accidentally upload the wrong file, you cannot delete it. Be careful to select the correct file. You can upload the correct document afterward, but the incorrect one remains visible to case officers.
You cannot attach documents to finalised applications. Once your visa is granted or refused, you can no longer add documents to that application. If refused and you want to reapply, you'll start a new application.
Earlier is better. While you can add documents later, complete applications process faster. Attach everything you can as soon as possible after lodging.
Respond to requests promptly. If the Department requests specific documents, you'll receive a notification in ImmiAccount and by email. These requests often have deadlines. Missing a deadline can result in your application being decided on available information, which usually means refusal if the requested document was important.
How do I withdraw an application?
To withdraw a visa application, open it in ImmiAccount, click "Update details", choose "Withdrawal of application", and upload a completed Form 1446. Do not click "Remove" on your dashboard. That only hides the application from view; it does not withdraw it.
How to withdraw: Go to your application in ImmiAccount, click "Update details," then select "Withdrawal of application." You'll need to complete and upload Form 1446.
Do NOT click "Remove" on the application line in your ImmiAccount dashboard. Clicking "Remove" only hides the application from your portal view and does not withdraw it. The Department will continue processing it, and you could end up with a visa you didn't want, or worse, a refusal on your record that you could have avoided.
Note that withdrawing an application does not entitle you to a refund of the visa application charge. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is withdrawn, refused, or granted.
How do I track my application status?
Log into ImmiAccount to track your application. The status field shows where it is in processing. The Department also emails status updates and messages to your registered email, but the official record always lives in ImmiAccount.
What do the application statuses mean?
Your application will show one of several statuses:
Received: Your application has been submitted and is in the queue
Initial assessment: A case officer is reviewing your application
Further assessment: Additional checks are being conducted (security, health, verification)
Information requested: The Department needs something from you (check for a request letter)
Finalised: A decision has been made (grant or refusal)
How often should I check my status?
Log into ImmiAccount regularly to check for:
Status changes
Messages from the Department
Requests for additional information
Your decision outcome
The Department communicates through ImmiAccount. Notifications are also sent to your email, but the official record is in ImmiAccount.
What if my application is taking longer than expected?
Published processing times are estimates, not guarantees. They do not factor in your nationality, whether you applied onshore or offshore, or current risk settings. Your application might take longer if:
You're from a higher-risk country: More scrutiny means longer processing
Security checks are required: Some applications are flagged for additional checking with no explanation or timeline
Information is missing: The Department may be waiting for your response to a request
Verification is needed: Employment and financial verification can take weeks
It's peak season: December-January and university intake periods see higher volumes
The Department publishes aggregate processing times on their Global Visa Processing Times page, but these are broad averages that don't reflect individual circumstances. For a more accurate picture, check our Visa Time Checker. It analyses data from millions of visa applications to give you a personalised estimate based on your visa type, nationality, and location. If your wait falls within the normal range for applicants in your situation, there's no cause for concern, even if it exceeds the generic timeframes on the Department's website.
What you can do:
Use the Visa Time Checker to see if your wait is normal for your situation
Ensure you've responded to any requests
Check your ImmiAccount messages
Be patient; calling the Department rarely speeds things up
Consider professional assistance if your situation is complex and processing is delayed
What you shouldn't do:
Spam ImmiAccount with messages (this doesn't help)
Submit multiple applications for the same purpose
Travel to Australia expecting the visa will come through (it might not)
How do I verify my visa status with VEVO?
Once your visa is granted, you can verify your visa details using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
VEVO shows:
Your visa grant date
Visa expiry date
Conditions attached to your visa
Work and study rights
Australia's visa system is electronic. You don't receive a physical visa sticker. VEVO is how you prove your visa status to employers, landlords, and airlines.
What are the most common DIY application mistakes?
A handful of mistakes cause most refusals. We have seen them again and again across thousands of applications.
1. Inconsistent information
Your application form says you earn $50,000 per year. Your bank statements show deposits of $2,000 per month. Your employment letter says your salary is $4,500 monthly. These numbers don't align, and that raises questions.
How to avoid: Before submitting, cross-check that dates, names, amounts, and facts are consistent across all documents and form answers.
2. Insufficient financial evidence
Showing a large bank balance isn't enough. Case officers want to see:
Where the money came from (salary deposits over time, not unexplained lumps)
That it's genuinely available to you (not borrowed for the application)
That you can afford your stated travel plans
How to avoid: Provide 3-6 months of bank statements showing regular income. If you have a recent large deposit, explain its source with evidence.
3. Weak genuine temporary entrant case
"I want to visit Australia because it's beautiful" isn't compelling. Neither is "I plan to see Sydney." These answers don't demonstrate why you'll leave.
How to avoid: Be specific. Explain your ties to home: your job, family, property, studies, and other commitments. Explain why you need to return. Provide a detailed itinerary showing realistic plans.
4. Poor quality documents
Blurry photos of documents, cropped bank statements, documents without official letterheads, and untranslated foreign-language documents all create problems.
How to avoid: Scan original documents at high quality. Include complete documents (all pages). Get non-English documents professionally translated by NAATI-certified translators. Ensure documents are official and verifiable.
5. Failing to disclose relevant history
Thinking a minor conviction from years ago doesn't matter? Hoping they won't notice that visa refusal from another country? They probably will, and failing to disclose is treated as providing false information.
How to avoid: Declare everything. A disclosed minor issue is usually fine. An undisclosed issue, even minor, can result in refusal and a 3-year ban under PIC 4020.
6. Applying for the wrong visa
Applying for a tourist visa when you actually want to work. Applying for a student visa for a short course that doesn't require one. Applying onshore for a visa that must be applied for offshore.
How to avoid: Research thoroughly before applying. Use the official Visa Finder. Read eligibility requirements carefully. If unsure, seek advice before lodging.
7. Missing deadlines
When the Department requests information, there's usually a deadline. Missing it can mean your application is decided without that information, typically resulting in refusal.
How to avoid: Check ImmiAccount regularly. Respond to requests promptly. Set calendar reminders for any deadlines.
What happens after I lodge?
After you lodge, your application joins a processing queue. A case officer is then assigned to it. They check your identity, eligibility, intent, character, and health, then either grant the visa, ask for more information, or refuse it. Knowing what comes next makes the wait easier.
How does the assessment process work?
Your application enters a processing queue based on visa type, lodgement location, and risk factors. A case officer will eventually be assigned to review it.
The case officer assesses:
Identity: Are you who you claim to be?
Eligibility: Do you meet the visa criteria?
Genuine intent: Will you comply with visa conditions?
Character: Do you pass character requirements?
Health: Do you meet health requirements?
They may approve your visa immediately, request more information, or refuse the application.
What should I do if the Department requests more information?
If the case officer needs more from you, you'll receive a notification in ImmiAccount with:
What's being requested
Why it's needed
The deadline to respond
Common requests include:
Additional financial evidence
Updated employment letters
Police certificates
Health examination results
Evidence supporting the purpose of your visa
Clarification of inconsistencies
Respond as thoroughly and promptly as possible. Late or incomplete responses harm your application.
What if I need health examinations?
If required, you'll receive a Health Assessment Request through ImmiAccount. You must:
Download your referral letter from ImmiAccount
Book an appointment with an approved panel physician (find one at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health)
Attend the examination with your passport and referral letter
The physician submits results directly to the Department
Health results are typically valid for 12 months. For more details on what to expect and how to prepare, see our guide to health examinations for Australian visas.
What if I need to provide biometrics?
The Department may request biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) from some applicants. This is at the Department's discretion, and not all applicants from any particular country will be asked. If biometrics are required, you'll receive a notification through ImmiAccount with instructions.
You can provide biometrics either by attending an Australian Visa Application Centre in person, or for certain countries, by using the Australian Immi app on your smartphone. The app allows you to complete biometrics from home without visiting a centre.
For more details on biometrics requirements, see the Department's biometrics page.
How is the decision delivered?
Eventually, you'll receive a decision notification in ImmiAccount:
If granted: Congratulations! Your visa details appear in ImmiAccount and VEVO. You can travel to Australia within the validity period. Review any conditions attached to your visa.
If refused: You'll receive a refusal notice explaining why. Depending on your situation:
Offshore applicants: Generally no review rights (with limited exceptions)
Onshore applicants: May be able to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within 21-28 days
If refused, you can usually reapply at any time with a new application, but you'll need to address whatever caused the refusal. Submitting the same application will get the same result. For a detailed guide on understanding refusals and your options, see our guide to visa refusals.
What if I applied onshore and got a bridging visa?
If you applied for a visa from within Australia while holding a valid visa, you were likely granted a Bridging Visa A automatically. This keeps you lawful while your application is processed.
Key things to know:
The bridging visa activates when your current visa expires
It typically includes work rights (for most visa types)
It does NOT allow travel, as leaving Australia cancels your bridging visa
If you need to travel, apply for a Bridging Visa B before you leave
For more details, see our comprehensive guide to bridging visas.
Frequently asked questions
Final thoughts
Applying for an Australian visa yourself is entirely achievable. Millions of people navigate ImmiAccount successfully every year. The system, while imperfect, is designed to be self-service for straightforward applications.
Your success depends on:
Choosing the right visa for your actual situation
Providing complete, accurate information consistently across all forms and documents
Including sufficient evidence to support your claims
Understanding what case officers are looking for and addressing it directly
Being honest about your history and circumstances
For simple tourist visas from low-risk countries, DIY is perfectly reasonable. For complex visas, difficult circumstances, or high-stakes situations, professional assistance isn't an unnecessary expense; it's risk management.
Whatever you decide, approach the application seriously. Take your time. Double-check everything. Respond promptly to any requests. And remember: a refused application stays on your immigration record and affects future applications.
Ready to apply?
Use the official Visa Finder to identify your visa
Create your ImmiAccount to get started
Check your situation with our Visa Time Checker for realistic processing estimates
Want guidance through the process? Start an application with Tern. Our platform walks you through each step, automatically cross-checks your documents against your answers, and writes a personalised cover letter, so you can apply with confidence.
