Exempt persons
The following people do not have to be a registered migration agent in order to provide immigration assistance, but they must not charge a fee for their service:
• a close family member (spouse, de facto partner, child, parent, brother or sister);
• a member of parliament or their staff;
• an official whose duties include providing immigration assistance (eg. a Legal Aid provider);
• a member of a diplomatic mission, consular post or international organisation.
Appointing a migration agent/exempt person
To appoint a migration agent/exempt person you should complete Part K – Options for receiving written communications.
Your migration agent/exempt person should complete form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance.
Form 956 is available from the department’s website
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/
Options for receiving written communications
If you do not appoint a migration agent/exempt person you may still authorise another person, in writing, to receive written communications on your behalf. This person is called the authorised recipient.
Authorised recipient information
All written communication about your application will be sent to your authorised recipient, unless you indicate that you wish to have health and/or character information sent directly to you.
The department will communicate with the most recently appointed authorised recipient as you may only appoint one authorised recipient at any time for a particular application.
You will be taken to have received any documents sent to that person as if they had been sent to you.
To appoint an authorised recipient you should complete:
• Part K – Options for receiving written communications; and
• form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient.
Note: Migration agents/exempt persons do not need to complete form 956A.
Form 956A is available from the department’s website
Consent to communicate electronically
The department may use a range of means to communicate with you. However, electronic means such as fax or email will only be used if you indicate your agreement to receiving communication in this way.
To process your application the department may need to communicate with you about sensitive information, for example, health, police checks, financial viability and personal relationships. Electronic communications, unless adequately encrypted, are not secure and may be viewed by others or interfered with.
If you agree to the department communicating with you by electronic means, the details you provide will only be used by the department for the purpose for which you have provided them, unless there is a legal obligation or necessity to use them for another purpose, or you have consented to use for another purpose. They will not be added to any mailing list.
The Australian Government accepts no responsibility for the security or integrity of any information sent to the department over the internet or by other electronic means.
If you authorise another person to receive documents on your behalf and they wish to be contacted electronically, their signature is required on form 956 or 956A to indicate their consent to this form of communication.
Note: Electronic communication is the fastest means of communication available and the department prefers to communicate electronically because this results in faster processing.
Important information about privacy
Your personal information is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988. Important information about the collection, use and disclosure (to other agencies and third parties, including overseas entities) of your personal information, including sensitive information, is contained in form 1442i Privacy notice. Form 1442i is available from the department’s website www.immi.gov.au/allforms/ or offices of the department. You should ensure that you read and understand form 1442i before completing this form.
As sponsorship may be required for your visa subclass, the outcome of your application may be made known to the person/organisation who has submitted a sponsorship form regarding your application.