Australia stopped issuing visa labels in passports back in 2015. Now everything happens online through a single government platform. You log in, fill out your application, upload documents, pay fees, and track your status all in one place. But if you’ve never used the system before, it can feel overwhelming.
ImmiAccount is the official portal where you lodge your Australian visa application. It’s run by the Department of Home Affairs and handles most visa types including tourist, student, work, and partner visas. The platform stores all your information securely and gives you direct access to your application from anywhere.
This guide walks you through the complete process of using ImmiAccount to apply for your visa. You’ll learn how to set up your account, start your application correctly, attach the right documents, pay your fees, and track your progress. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do at each step so you can lodge your application with confidence.
What ImmiAccount is and what you need ready
ImmiAccount is the online system you use to submit your Australia visa online application directly to the Department of Home Affairs. The platform replaced paper applications for most visa types and stores your information in a secure digital record that immigration officers can access during the assessment process. You can log in from any device with internet access, which means you can work on your application over multiple sessions without losing progress.
Which visas you can apply for through ImmiAccount
You can lodge most Australian visa types through ImmiAccount including visitor visas (tourist and business), student visas, work visas, partner visas, and skilled migration visas. The system also handles citizenship applications, APEC Business Travel Card applications, and Australian Trusted Trader registrations. You cannot use ImmiAccount for Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas, which have a separate application process.
ImmiAccount covers nearly all visa pathways except ETA, so you’ll likely use this platform regardless of your migration goal.
Information and documents to gather first
Before you start your application, collect your passport details, current residential address, and employment history for the past ten years. You need digital copies of supporting documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, health examinations, and financial evidence. Have your credit card or PayPal account ready for the visa application fee, which you must pay before submission.
Step 1. Create and secure your ImmiAccount
You start your australia visa online application by creating an ImmiAccount at the Department of Home Affairs website. The registration process takes five to ten minutes and requires basic personal information including your name, date of birth, email address, and contact details. Once you complete registration, the system sends a confirmation email with an activation link that you must click to verify your account before you can log in.
Go to the ImmiAccount registration page
Navigate to the official ImmiAccount portal and click the "Create ImmiAccount" button on the homepage. Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport, then create a unique username and strong password that meets the system requirements. The platform asks you to select security questions and provide answers that you’ll use if you ever need to recover your account.
Your password must contain at least eight characters with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Write down your login credentials in a secure location because you’ll need them throughout the entire application process and afterward to check your visa status.
Set up Multi-factor Authentication
The Department of Home Affairs requires Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for all ImmiAccount users to protect your personal information and application data. After your first login, the system prompts you to link your account to an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator on your smartphone. You scan a QR code with the app, which then generates a six-digit code that changes every 30 seconds.
MFA adds a critical security layer that prevents unauthorized access even if someone obtains your password.
Each time you log in, you enter both your password and the current verification code from your authenticator app. This two-step process keeps your visa application secure from identity theft and fraud.
Step 2. Start your online visa application
After you log into your ImmiAccount, you see a dashboard that displays any existing applications and several action buttons. Click the "New application" button to begin your australia visa online application. The system then takes you through a series of screens where you select your visa type, confirm your eligibility, and complete the application form with your personal details and travel plans.
Find and select your visa type
The platform presents a searchable list of all available visa categories organized by purpose such as visit, work, study, family, or skilled migration. You can browse the categories or use the search function to find your specific visa subclass. Each visa type shows a brief description and the estimated processing time so you can confirm you’re selecting the correct option.
Click on your chosen visa subclass to see detailed eligibility requirements and a checklist of documents you’ll need to attach later. Review this information carefully before you click "Apply for this visa" because switching to a different visa type after you start requires abandoning your current application and beginning again from scratch.
Fill in the application form
The form divides into multiple sections that cover your identity, passport details, family members, health history, character declarations, and the purpose of your visit. You must complete all mandatory fields marked with a red asterisk before the system allows you to proceed. Answer every question truthfully and provide dates in the DD/MM/YYYY format that the system requires.
Inaccurate or incomplete information can delay your application or result in a refusal, so double-check each entry before moving forward.
Save your progress regularly using the "Save" button at the bottom of each page. You can log out and return later to continue where you left off without losing any information.
Step 3. Attach documents and pay the fee
Once you finish filling out your australia visa online application form, you move to the document attachment stage where you upload scanned copies of your supporting evidence. The system creates a document checklist based on your visa type and your answers in the application form. You then pay the visa application fee through the secure payment gateway, which processes your payment immediately and generates a receipt that the system stores in your ImmiAccount.
Upload your supporting documents
Click the "Attach documents" button on your application summary page to access the upload interface. The system shows a list of document types you need to provide such as passport biographical pages, photographs, financial statements, police certificates, or health examination results. Select the document type from the dropdown menu, choose the file from your computer, and click "Attach" to upload it.
Your documents must be in PDF, JPG, or PNG format with a maximum file size of 60MB per document. Scan each page in color at a resolution of at least 300 DPI to ensure the text remains clear and readable. You can upload multiple files for a single document type if your evidence spans several pages or requires different file formats.
Upload every document listed in your checklist before you proceed to payment because the system locks your application after you submit it.
Complete the payment process
After you attach all required documents, click the "Submit application" button to proceed to the payment screen. The system displays the exact visa application fee in Australian dollars based on your visa subclass and any additional charges for family members included in your application. You can pay using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard), debit card, or PayPal account.
Enter your payment details in the secure form and click "Pay now" to process the transaction. The platform confirms your payment immediately and assigns a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) to your application, which you need to keep for your records and future correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 4. Track your application and next steps
Your australia visa online application moves to the assessment queue as soon as you complete payment. The Department of Home Affairs assigns your application to a case officer who reviews your forms, documents, and eligibility against the visa requirements. You receive automated email notifications when your application status changes or when the department needs additional information from you.
Check your application status in ImmiAccount
Log into your ImmiAccount at any time to view your current application status. Click on "My applications" from the dashboard to see all active and completed applications. The system displays one of several status messages that indicate where your application sits in the processing pipeline:
- Received: Your application is in the queue awaiting assessment
- In progress: A case officer is actively reviewing your application
- Further assessment: Additional checks or verifications are underway
- Finalized: A decision has been made on your application
Processing times vary based on your visa subclass and individual circumstances, but the platform shows the estimated timeframe for your specific visa type.
What to do if immigration requests more information
You receive an email notification if the case officer needs additional documents or clarification about information in your application. Log into ImmiAccount immediately and click the "View details" button next to your application to see what the department requested. Upload the requested documents or provide the information through the same attachment interface you used during your initial application, then click "Submit" to send your response directly to the case officer handling your case.
Respond to any requests within the deadline specified in the notification, typically 28 days, or your application may be decided using only the information already provided.
Ready to lodge your visa
You now have the complete roadmap for submitting your australia visa online application through ImmiAccount. The platform handles everything from account creation to document uploads and fee payments in one secure location. Each step builds on the previous one, so following the sequence ensures you don’t miss critical requirements or waste time backtracking.
Immigration applications involve strict requirements and tight deadlines that can make or break your visa outcome. Simon Mander Consulting helps you navigate the entire process with personalized guidance based on 22+ years of migration law experience. We review your documents before submission, identify potential issues early, and ensure your application meets every requirement the Department of Home Affairs expects.
Fee credited toward your visa process if you proceed