Official form guide
Form 956: Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
Form 956 – Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance – notifies the Department of Home Affairs when a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person is appointed to give immigration assistance, or when that appointment ends.
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Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 956 - Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
Form 956 – Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance – notifies the Department of Home Affairs when a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person is appointed to give immigration assistance, or when that appointment ends.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Charging a fee as an exempt person can lead to up to 10 years jail.
- 2Leaving the fee‑charging box unchecked for an exempt person
- 3Providing an incorrect or missing MARN/LPN
- 4Failing to include the client’s declaration when withdrawing as an authorised recipient
- 5Submitting the form to the wrong address or portal
Plain English
If you are a migration agent, lawyer or an exempt person (like a close family member or sponsor) and you start or stop helping a visa applicant, you use this form to let the Department know. It records your details, the type of assistance and whether you will receive documents on the client’s behalf.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form as soon as the appointment begins or ends; there is no specific statutory deadline noted in the source.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When you are a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person and you have just been appointed to give immigration assistance.
- When your appointment to provide immigration assistance ends and you need to tell the Department.
- When you need to notify the Department that a client has withdrawn your role as an authorised recipient (client must also sign the declaration on page 6).
- Do not use this form if you are only an authorised recipient and are not providing immigration assistance.
- Do not use this form for fee‑charging assistance if you are an exempt person.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Only an authorised recipient (no immigration assistance)
Form 956A captures authorised‑recipient changes without immigration assistance
✓ Confirm you are not providing immigration assistance before using 956A
Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
Client wants to withdraw you as authorised recipient but you are still providing assistance
956 records both assistance appointment and authorised‑recipient withdrawal
✓ Ensure client signs declaration on page 6
Another migration agent from your firm will handle the case while you are unavailable
Department needs a contact for ongoing communication
✓ Verify the other practitioner’s MARN/LPN is correct
Form 956 (provide details of the other practitioner)
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed filing date; submit promptly after the appointment change to avoid gaps in authorised representation.
Before you submit
- 1All required fields in the relevant part(s) are filled in.
- 2MARN or LPN is entered exactly as shown on your registration.
- 3Exempt persons have ticked the correct exemption category and provided date of birth.
- 4Electronic communication consent is clearly indicated if you want email contact.
- 5Client’s declaration on page 6 is signed and dated (required for withdrawal of authorised recipient).
- 6Form is signed by you (or your authorised signatory) and dated.
- 7No fees are charged if you are an exempt person.
- 8Form is saved as a PDF (if completed electronically) before printing or uploading.
- 9You have a copy of the completed form for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form 956 from the Department of Home Affairs website.
- 2Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and complete the required sections (Part A, B, C as applicable).
- 3Sign the form and have the client sign the declaration on page 6 if withdrawing an authorised recipient.
- 4Save the completed form as a PDF (or print and complete in block letters).
- 5Submit the form to the Department following the instructions on the form – typically by mail or via ImmiAccount if the form allows electronic upload.
Known limitations
- 1Only for registered migration agents, legal practitioners, or exempt persons – not for other advisers.
- 2Cannot be used solely to appoint an authorised recipient without immigration assistance.
- 3Exempt persons must not charge any fee; doing so is an offence with up to 10 years jail.
- 4Electronic communication consent is optional and not secure unless encrypted.
- 5Form must be completed in English and using block letters if printed.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
3 items
Your name exactly as shown in your passport.
Your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
Passport number, country of issue, and expiry date.
Contact
1 items
Current residential address, postal address, email, and phone number.
Request
1 items
The visa, citizenship, or sponsorship request this form relates to.
Evidence
1 items
Certified copies of identity and other documents required for the request.
Declaration
1 items
Declare that the information is true and correct, then sign and date.
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What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm you are a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or an exempt person as defined on page 1.
- Check whether you are starting a new appointment or ending one – select the correct part (A, B, C).
- Enter the correct Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) or Legal Practitioner Number (LPN).
- If you are an exempt person, record your date of birth and reason for exemption.
- Indicate whether you consent to electronic communication (page 2).
- Verify you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader and typing in English or printing in block letters.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCExempt persons list (close family, sponsor, MP staff, public service, diplomatic mission)page 1.
- SRCExempt persons must not charge a fee; penalties up to 10 years jailpage 1.
- SRCWho can use the form: registered migration agent, legal practitioner, exempt personpage 1.
- SRCForm purpose: notify appointment or end of appointment for immigration assistancepage 1.
- SRCPart B and C can be used to advise withdrawal of an authorised recipientpage 2.
- SRCElectronic communication consent notepage 2.
- SRCRequirement to use Adobe Acrobat Reader and type in English or print in block letterspage 3.
- SRCFields for MARN, LPN, exemption reason, date of birthpage 3.
Common confusion points
Using Form 956 when only an authorised recipient appointment is needed – the correct form is 956A.
Failing to sign the client declaration on page 6 for withdrawal of an authorised recipient.
Charging a fee as an exempt person, which is prohibited.
Selecting the wrong part of the form (e.g., completing Part B for a new appointment).
Leaving the electronic communication consent box blank when you want email contact.
Entering an incorrect MARN or LPN, causing processing delays.
Submitting the form without a date of birth for exempt persons.
Source transparency
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