Official form guide
Form 1005: Return of original documents form
This form is used to apply for a Bridging visa A, B, or C. It is for people who have a pending substantive visa application, need a new bridging visa with different conditions, or have applied for judicial review.
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Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 1005 - Return of original documents form
This form is used to apply for a Bridging visa A, B, or C. It is for people who have a pending substantive visa application, need a new bridging visa with different conditions, or have applied for judicial review.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is providing only a post office box as your residential address, which makes the application invalid.
- 2Providing a PO box instead of a residential address
- 3Not signing the declaration
- 4Leaving financial questions unanswered
- 5Not nominating an authorised recipient correctly
Plain English
If you're in Australia and need to stay legally while waiting for a visa decision, this form lets you apply for a bridging visa. You'll provide your residential address, answer questions about your finances, and can nominate someone to receive letters for you.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit this form when you need a bridging visa, usually before your current visa expires. There is no fixed deadline, but it should be lodged while your substantive visa application is still being processed.
- 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
- Use this form if you need a Bridging visa A, B, or C.
- Use it if your previous bridging visa has ceased and you need a new one.
- Use it if you want a new bridging visa with different conditions.
- Use it if you have applied for judicial review of a refusal of a Protection visa and need a bridging visa while awaiting the outcome.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You need to travel while holding a Bridging visa A or B
This form is specifically for travel permission on a BVB, not covered by Form 1005
✓ Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current requirements
Form 1006 (Application for a Bridging visa B)
You want to appoint an authorised recipient to receive correspondence
This form is required to nominate someone to receive written communications on your behalf, separate from Form 1005
✓ Check if you need to lodge this with your application
Form 956A (Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient)
You need to appoint a migration agent or exempt person
This form is for appointing a professional representative, not for the bridging visa application itself
✓ Confirm whether you need this in addition to Form 1005
Form 956 (Appointment of a migration agent or exempt person)
Deadline or filing window
There is no specific deadline, but you should apply before your current visa expires to avoid becoming unlawful.
Before you submit
- 1Complete the form in English and answer all questions in full.
- 2Keep a copy of your completed application for your records.
- 3If you have applied for judicial review, attach a copy of the application or notice of appeal showing the court registration number and endorsement by the Registrar of the Federal Court.
- 4If you appoint an authorised recipient, complete Part H and lodge Form 956A.
- 5If you appoint a migration agent or exempt person, complete the relevant sections and lodge Form 956 if required.
- 6Indicate your consent to electronic communication – if you agree, provide your email address.
- 7Provide all required supporting documents, including evidence of financial support if you are not working (e.g., receipts, bank statements).
- 8Check the current fees and payment methods on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.
How to file this form
- 1Read the information about bridging visas on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- 2Complete Form 1005 in English, answering every question.
- 3Gather required evidence – especially if you are applying after judicial review or need work permission.
- 4If appointing an authorised recipient or migration agent, complete the relevant forms (956A or 956).
- 5Lodge your application online via ImmiAccount or by mail as instructed on the Department's website.
- 6Pay any applicable fee (check current fee schedule).
- 7Keep a copy of your application and any receipts for your records.
Known limitations
- 1This form is only for Bridging visas A, B, and C – not for other visa types.
- 2Work permission is not automatic – you must meet specific criteria, such as having had work permission on your last bridging visa and applying for judicial review within time limits.
- 3If you need to travel, you may need a separate Bridging visa B (Form 1006) – Form 1005 does not grant travel permission.
- 4The form does not cover all situations – check the Department's website for eligibility and conditions.
- 5The form must be completed in English; supporting documents may need translation.
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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Fillable formOpen in Editor->This is the current version of Form 1005, with a design date of 09/24. It is used to apply for a Bridging visa A, B, or C.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Design date is 09/24 – check the Department's website for any newer versions.
- The form includes updated references to the OMARA website and Law Council of Australia.
- The form clarifies that you must apply for judicial review within statutory time limits to retain work permission.
- The form includes a section on consent to electronic communication – confirm your preference.
- The form requires you to provide evidence of judicial review application (court registration number and endorsement) if applicable.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 1: Application for Bridging visa A, B or C; includes work permission note for judicial review.
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 1: Note about Form 1006 for travel on BVA or BVB.
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 2: Information on registered migration agents (OMARA website) and legal practitioners (Law Council).
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 2: Reference to Form 956 and 956A for authorised recipient.
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 2: Consent to electronic communication section.
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 6: Financial details (savings, income, expenses) and supporting evidence.
- SRCForm 1005 (Design date 09/24) - Page 9: Signature and date sections for main applicant and additional applicants.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: specific fees, processing times, or online lodgement instructionscheck Department website.
Common confusion points
People often confuse the different bridging visa subclasses – A, B, and C – and which one applies to their situation.
Work permission conditions are not the same for all bridging visas – check if you are eligible based on your last held visa and judicial review timing.
The requirement to provide evidence of judicial review (court registration number and endorsement) is often missed.
Authorised recipient (Form 956A) is different from a migration agent (Form 956) – people sometimes mix these up.
Consent to electronic communication is optional – if you do not agree, the Department will use paper mail, which may delay correspondence.
The form asks for financial details (savings, income, expenses) – people often forget to include supporting evidence for these.
If your previous bridging visa ceased, you must apply for a new one – you cannot simply continue on the old one.
Source transparency
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