Australian Immigration Contact Number

You can contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm local time. DHA receives a high volume of telephone enquiries each day. Monday is the peak day and wait times may be longer. The Department of Immigration’s phone service is closed on Australian national public holidays.

Where you are calling from	Phone number	Hours
In Australia	131 881	Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm local time
Outside Australia	+61 2 6196 0196	Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm local time

For offices outside Australia, see the offices and locations list on the Department of Home Affairs website, or our list of Australian embassies.

Before you call

• Check whether your question is answered by an online service first. Many enquiries, such as checking an application or updating your details, can be done in ImmiAccount or with an online form.
• Have your passport or travel document ready so the officer can confirm your identity.
• Have your application details ready, for example your Transaction Reference Number (TRN), file number or visa grant number.
• Write down your question and any dates or reference numbers you were given, so you can keep a record of the call.

Calling on behalf of someone else

Home Affairs will only discuss a case with you if the applicant has given permission. This is usually done with form 956 (advice by a registered migration agent or exempt person) or form 956a (appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient). If you are helping a family member, make sure the right form has been given to Home Affairs before you call.

Other ways to get help

• ImmiAccount: most visa applications are lodged and tracked online, and you can upload documents and see correspondence there.
• Visa status and conditions: use VEVO to check your visa status and conditions.
• Change of address or circumstances: see how to notify Home Affairs of an address change.
• Interpreters: if you need help in another language, the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) can be reached on 131 450.
• Processing times: before calling about a delay, compare your application with the current visa processing times.

When to speak to a migration agent

The Home Affairs phone line gives general information about visas and applications. It does not give advice about your personal situation or tell you which visa is best for you. If your application has been delayed, you have received a request for more information, or you are facing a refusal or cancellation, a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer can review your situation and, once appointed with form 956, deal with Home Affairs for you. Book a video consultation to discuss your options.

Frequently asked questions