Visas and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs.
If you require assistance, please call the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm (GMT).
International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.
Please note that Australian citizens are expected to travel to Australia using an Australian passport. See Travelling as a Dual Citizen.
Australian Citizenship by Descent
You may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if you were born outside Australia and at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Evidence of Australian Citizenship
An Australian citizenship certificate is an official document that shows that a person is an Australian citizen. If you meet the requirements, you can get a certificate or replace one that has been lost, destroyed, or damaged. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Apply
You can apply for both of the above online through ImmiAccount. If you experience technical issues, please visit Help and Support.
For more information on how to apply, please visit Applying Online.
For information on citizenship processing times, please visit Citizenship Processing Times.
All non-citizens need to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Australia.
Apply for a Visa
You may be eligible for an eVisitor visa or an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). For information, please visit Electronic Travel Authority. If you are unable to use the AustralianETA app, please visit Explore Visa Options.
Use ImmiAccount to lodge your application, make a payment, update your details or circumstances, upload documents, and track the progress of your application. If you are experiencing technical issues with ImmiAccount, please visit Help and Support.
The Department of Home Affairs is committed to building more efficient and effective ways of delivering accessible services through digital channels. You can complete a number of services online without contacting the Department directly. This includes:
- Choose your Visa Type
- Applying for Visas Online
- Check the Status of your Visa Online
- Visa Fees and Charges
- Visa Pricing Estimator
Processing Times
For current global visa processing times, please visit Visa Processing Times. Please note that the Department is unable to provide any updates on the progress of your application if it is within standard global processing times.
All timeframes are estimates and vary. It is recommended that applicants do not make non-refundable financial commitments in relation to their travel prior to receiving a visa to Australia.
All supporting documentation must be submitted when lodging your application. A decision may be made at any time after the application is submitted. For departmental policy relating to supporting documentation, please visit Who Can Help with your Application.
If you have provided documents by email to the Department, you will receive an automated acknowledgement. Please remember to check your junk folder and add the Department as a safe sender.
Translations
The Department of Home Affairs is moving towards a global visa processing model, meaning applications may be processed in an office other than the office they were lodged in. As such, when lodging any document in a language other than English, you must lodge a copy of the original document and an appropriately endorsed English Translation version of the document.
In Australia, translators must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Their accreditation details must be recorded on the translation. Translations provided by non-accredited translators outside Australia should be endorsed by the translator with their full name, address, telephone number, and details of qualifications/experience in the relevant language.
Failure to provide a copy of the original or an English translation of supporting documentation may delay processing and result in the document not being considered as part of the visa application.
Visa applicants may be required to provide their biometric identifiers (digital facial image and fingerprint scan). If required, you will be contacted to complete this process. Please visit Biometrics Collection Process.
To find the nearest Australian Biometrics Collection Centre, please visit Offices outside Australia.
If you have been requested to provide biometrics but are unable to do so, please attach a written statement to your application using your ImmiAccount explaining your circumstances.