Official form guide
Form 956: Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
Form 956 is used by registered migration agents or exempt persons to provide advice when they have provided immigration assistance to a client. This form serves as a notification to the Department of Home Affairs about the provision of immigration services.
Need help with Form 956?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 956 - Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
Form 956 is used by registered migration agents or exempt persons to provide advice when they have provided immigration assistance to a client. This form serves as a notification to the Department of Home Affairs about the provision of immigration services.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure all client identification details are accurate to prevent processing delays.
- 2Incorrect client information leading to processing delays
- 3Failure to submit the form promptly after providing assistance
- 4Incomplete form details causing rejection or resubmission
- 5Misrepresentation of the nature of assistance provided
Plain English
If you're a migration agent or exempt person helping someone with their visa application or other immigration matters in Australia, you'll need to let the Department of Home Affairs know about the assistance you've provided. This form helps maintain transparency in the immigration assistance process.
Submission Date
- Filing date: This form should be submitted promptly after providing immigration assistance to a client, with no specific deadline mentioned in the form title.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use when you are a registered migration agent providing immigration assistance
- Use when you are an exempt person providing immigration assistance
- Do not use for general visa applications - those use different forms
- Do not use for citizenship applications - those use separate forms
- Use specifically for advising the department about assistance provided
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Situation: Applying for a visa
Why it matters: Different forms for different purposes
✓ Check before you continue: Confirm you're not submitting the wrong form type
Situation: Client is an Australian citizen
Why it matters: Australian citizens don't require immigration assistance
✓ Check before you continue: Verify client's citizenship status
Situation: Providing general migration advice
Why it matters: This form covers advice provision
✓ Check before you continue: Ensure advice falls under regulated services
Situation: Client is in immigration detention
Why it matters: Detained clients have specific procedures
✓ Check before you continue: Check department guidelines for detained persons
Situation: Providing assistance for a bridging visa
Why it matters: All visa types require notification of assistance
✓ Check before you continue: Specify the correct visa subclass
Deadline or filing window
There is no specified deadline for submitting Form 956, but it should be submitted promptly after providing immigration assistance to maintain compliance with migration agent regulations.
Before you submit
- 1Verify you have the latest version of Form 956
- 2Confirm your migration agent registration is current
- 3Collect accurate client identification information
- 4Document the exact nature of assistance provided
- 5Obtain any relevant reference or case numbers
- 6Ensure all required sections are completed
- 7Review the form for accuracy before submission
- 8Prepare to submit through ImmiAccount
How to file this form
- 1Log in to your ImmiAccount with your credentials
- 2Navigate to the Form 956 in the migration agent section
- 3Complete all required sections with accurate information
- 4Attach any necessary supporting documentation
- 5Review all entries for accuracy and completeness
- 6Submit the form electronically through ImmiAccount
- 7Save the confirmation number for your records
Known limitations
- 1This form does not replace visa application forms
- 2The form does not provide visa approval or decision
- 3Submitting this form does not guarantee processing timeline
- 4Form must be submitted for each instance of assistance provided
- 5Not applicable for non-migration related advice
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.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current version of Form 956 is valid as of the most recent update by the Department of Home Affairs. Always check the official website for the latest version before submission.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Form numbering and layout may have changed in recent versions
- Definition of 'exempt person' may have been updated
- Online submission process through ImmiAccount may have changed
- Required supporting documentation may have been modified
- Privacy provisions may have been updated
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm 956 is issued by the Department of Home Affairs
- SRCForm relates to migration agents providing immigration assistance
- SRCSubmission is through ImmiAccount online portal
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Specific sections and requirements
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Processing timeframes
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Exact definition of 'exempt person'
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Current version number and date
Common confusion points
Confusing this form with visa application forms
Unclear about what constitutes 'immigration assistance'
Not knowing if you qualify as an 'exempt person'
Misunderstanding when the form should be submitted
Confusion about which sections are mandatory
Uncertainty about supporting documentation requirements
Not understanding the difference between migration agent and exempt person categories
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Never sign without understanding every clause.
BrieflyGo reviews your contracts in plain English — instantly.