ETA app or ImmiAccount?
An ETA (subclass 601) is applied for in the Australian ETA app, not as a standard ImmiAccount visa application. Home Affairs says you can check its application status with the app's Visa check function and should check the email address used for the application, including junk mail, for a written result or request. If a letter says more information is needed, use the specific link in that letter to open the online further-processing form in ImmiAccount and attach what it asks for, including Form 1554. Do not lodge repeated ETA app applications while following that request.
For another visa lodged in ImmiAccount, use that application's Messages and Actions required sections below. Follow your own request letter and chosen visa page if a different process applies.
Official ETA application, Visa check and further-processing steps · Home Affairs: when ImmiAccount is used · ETA further-processing guide →
Check messages and status in ImmiAccount
For an application lodged in ImmiAccount, that account lets you check messages and status, update details and manage the application. Keep your transaction reference number (TRN) and account access. Check the inbox regularly, including if someone else helped you lodge. An application status is not a grant notice.
To read correspondence, sign in, expand the application with the + icon, choose View details → Messages and open the relevant message. Look at Actions required beside the application for a document, health, biometrics or character task; read the actual request for its instructions and deadline. If you did not authorise electronic communication, Home Affairs says application messages will not be available there, so use the communication channel recorded for your case.
Home Affairs generally cannot give a more detailed progress update for an individual application by phone. Its processing-time guide describes recently decided applications; it does not predict your decision date.
Official after-application instructions · Status and processing-time answers
What does “Initial assessment” or “Further assessment” mean?
Home Affairs publishes these definitions for the status shown beside an online application. They describe a stage, not a promised decision date.
- Submitted: the application was successfully submitted. Received: Home Affairs has received it and it will be assessed.
- Initial assessment: an initial check is complete. Read any correspondence carefully in case more information was requested.
- Further assessment: Home Affairs is assessing the application and will contact you if further supporting documents are needed.
- Finalised: a decision has been made. Read the decision sent by email or post; the word “Finalised” alone does not tell you it was granted.
“Awaiting documents” and “Awaiting payment” are different pre-processing prompts. Check Actions required and Messages in the account rather than inferring an outcome or processing time from a status label. Partner sponsorship and My Health Declarations forms have separate status behaviour.
Official status table and account steps · How to use processing times →
Read the letter before uploading or booking
Home Affairs may ask for further documents, biometrics or a health examination. Check exactly what the letter asks, who must respond, and its deadline. For a visa lodged in ImmiAccount, attach requested information to that application there. For an ETA app request needing further processing, use the individual letter's link and instructions described above; do not assume it appears as your original application in ImmiAccount. Home Affairs advises keeping your own copies because files uploaded to ImmiAccount cannot later be retrieved there.
Only arrange biometrics or health follow-up under the instructions for your application. If you cannot provide something by the stated date, tell Home Affairs through the channel in the request and explain why instead of silently missing it.
Official upload instructions · Biometrics guide → · Health examination guide → · Further-information advice
Keep passport and contact details current
Tell Home Affairs when relevant circumstances change, including a new passport, email address, phone number or residential address. For a visa lodged in ImmiAccount, the account's update option is usually the quickest route. Check the official change page for the correct method for your visa and the details that changed.
An ETA (subclass 601) has a special passport rule: Home Affairs says an existing ETA cannot be transferred to a new passport, so you need a new ETA for the new passport. Do not assume that rule applies to every visa.
Update contact details · New passport instructions · New passport step-by-step guide →
Use the written grant or refusal notice
For an application lodged in ImmiAccount, Home Affairs places the decision there and sends it to the nominated email address. For an ETA app application, check the nominated email for its written outcome and the app's Visa check function for status. A biometrics appointment, a status change or an agent's message is not a substitute for the Department's decision.
If granted, check the visa subclass, start and travel dates, permitted stay, entries and conditions before making final travel plans. VEVO can show details and conditions for a current in-effect visa; it does not show a new application that is still being assessed. If refused, read the refusal notice carefully: it explains the decision and whether review rights exist. Any review steps and deadlines depend on that notice.
Read our refusal next-steps guide → · ETA outcome and Visa check · Official decision and review answers · Check a current visa in VEVO
Use the official ImmiAccount recovery links
Keep access to the email and multi-factor authentication method attached to your ImmiAccount so you can read requests. Home Affairs explains how to set up an authenticator app, with email authentication as another option when needed. If you cannot log in, use the official forgotten-username or password links. If you no longer have your authentication app, the sign-in page has an I no longer have access to my multi-factor authentication app path that checks your password and secret questions before setup again.
Do not send your password, one-time code, recovery answers or visa correspondence to MyAusVisa. If a representative lodged for you, ask them for the application details and check the authorised help and access steps through Home Affairs.
Official login and recovery instructions · Official MFA setup options
Check the visa you hold before leaving or entering
If you plan a trip while another application is pending, a current substantive visa, bridging visa and visitor visa have different travel rights. A BVB must be granted before departure if you need its travel facility. A pending Student visa does not make a Visitor visa suitable for starting the course.
Read the travel-while-waiting guide → · Official travel-while-processing rules
Made a mistake after lodging?
Use Home Affairs' Notification of incorrect answer(s) for a wrong submitted answer. A later change of circumstances, new passport and wrong uploaded document have different steps. Find the right correction route →
Report an account problem through the right channel
Start with Home Affairs’ common-error guide and current maintenance notices. Account access, forgotten credentials and MFA have separate recovery links. The technical support form is for an ImmiAccount or online-application problem; it does not answer visa eligibility or application-progress enquiries.
The form states an aim of ten business days and asks you not to repeat requests during that period. This is a support response target, not a visa processing time. If a request deadline or visa expiry is approaching, read your own correspondence and contact Home Affairs promptly for your circumstances. Do not assume a support request extends a deadline or your permission to stay.
Privately record the screen, exact error, date and time zone, browser, checks tried, relevant request deadline and any support reference. Keep screenshots and receipts securely. Share necessary application details only through the official channel; never share passwords or MFA codes.
Common issues and error messages · Current maintenance notices · Account access and recovery · Official technical support form
Download a private technical-issue log ↓ · Document-limit routes → · Payment support →
A baby born after applying?
Check citizenship, birth and visa dates, then use the correct official notification channel. Read the newborn guide and save a private record →
Track requested documents
Use our free CSV tracker to record what you have collected, translated and submitted, alongside the actual request deadline, submission date and channel or receipt reference. The example rows are not a required-document list. Keep this file and document copies on your own device.
Asked for a police certificate?
Check which people and countries the request covers, then find the correct Australian or overseas issuing authority. Read the police certificate guide →
Considering withdrawing your application?
If you are considering withdrawal before a decision, check the official process, fee and any effect on your right to remain in Australia first.
Read the withdrawal guide →