Official form guide
Form 956: Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
Form 956 is used by registered migration agents, legal practitioners, or exempt persons to notify the Department of Home Affairs of their appointment to provide immigration assistance, or the end of that appointment. It also authorises the department to communicate with the agent on behalf of the client. A separate form must be completed for each matter.
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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, legal practitioners, or exempt persons to notify the Department of Home Affairs of their appointment to provide immigration assistance, or the end of that appointment. It also authorises the department to communicate with the agent on behalf of the client. A separate form must be completed for each matter.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Failing to notify the department of your appointment can delay your client's visa application.
- 2Not using a separate form for each matter (the form requires a separate form per matter).
- 3Exempt persons charging a fee, which is illegal and can lead to up to 10 years in jail.
- 4Failing to indicate whether it's a new appointment or the end of an appointment.
- 5Providing an incorrect Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) or Legal Practitioner Number (LPN).
Plain English
If you're helping someone with their visa or immigration matters in Australia, you may need to tell the Department of Home Affairs that you're their official representative. This form lets you do that, whether you're a professional agent, a lawyer, or someone allowed to help for free (like a family member). You'll also use it if you stop helping them. It's a way to keep the department informed about who's handling the case.
Submission Date
- Filing date: You should submit this form as soon as you are appointed to represent a client, or when your appointment ends. There is no specific deadline mentioned, but it's best to notify the department promptly to ensure proper communication.
- 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 are a registered migration agent, legal practitioner, or an exempt person providing immigration assistance.
- Use it to notify the Department that you have been appointed to provide immigration assistance, or that your appointment has ended.
- A separate form must be completed for each matter (e.g., each visa application).
- If you are only appointed to receive documents (not to provide immigration assistance), do not use this form – use Form 956A instead.
- All persons listed on this form are considered to have appointed the same person for immigration assistance and as authorised recipient where indicated.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You are only appointed to receive documents on behalf of a client (no immigration assistance)
This form is for authorised recipients only, not for migration agents or exempt persons
✓ Confirm you are not providing immigration assistance
You are a registered migration agent or legal practitioner providing immigration assistance
This form notifies the Department of your appointment
✓ Ensure you have a valid MARN or LPN
You are an exempt person (e.g., close family member) providing assistance without charging a fee
Exempt persons must not charge fees; doing so is an offence
✓ Verify you meet the exempt criteria and are not charging
You need to end your appointment as a migration agent or exempt person
This form can be used to notify the end of appointment
✓ Your client must complete the declaration on page 6 to confirm the withdrawal
You need to appoint or withdraw an authorised recipient only (no immigration assistance)
Use Form 956A for authorised recipient changes
✓ Do not use Form 956 for this purpose
Deadline or filing window
There is no strict deadline, but you should lodge the form promptly upon appointment or termination to avoid communication delays. For time-sensitive applications, submit as soon as possible.
Before you submit
- 1Complete all relevant parts of the form (Part A for new appointment, Part B for ending, Part C for client details).
- 2Sign and date the form in the appropriate sections.
- 3If ending your appointment, have your client sign the declaration on page 6.
- 4Check that you are not charging a fee if you are an exempt person – doing so is an offence.
- 5Ensure you have not used this form if you are only an authorised recipient – use Form 956A instead.
- 6Attach any required supporting documents (if applicable).
- 7Submit the form to the Department of Home Affairs using their current lodgement methods (e.g., online, post, or in person as instructed).
How to file this form
- 1Read the instructions on the form to confirm you are eligible to use it (registered agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person).
- 2Determine whether you are notifying a new appointment or the end of an appointment, and tick the appropriate box.
- 3Complete Part A (your details) if it is a new appointment, or Part B (your details) if it is ending – you do not need to complete both.
- 4Complete Part C with your client's details (including all applicants if multiple).
- 5If you are ending your appointment, have your client complete the declaration on page 6.
- 6Sign and date the form, then submit it to the Department of Home Affairs.
Known limitations
- 1Exempt persons must not charge a fee for immigration assistance – if they do, they face penalties up to 10 years imprisonment.
- 2This form cannot be used if you are only appointed as an authorised recipient – you must use Form 956A.
- 3All persons listed on the form are considered to have appointed the same person, so ensure you list all relevant applicants.
- 4Electronic communications (e.g., email) are not secure unless encrypted – the Department may use them only if you consent.
- 5The form must be completed in English using block letters; incomplete or illegible forms may be rejected.
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 official version of Form 956 as provided. It is used to notify the Department of Home Affairs about the appointment or ending of appointment of a migration agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Open the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader – other software may not display it correctly.
- Complete the form in English using block letters (or type if using the fillable PDF).
- Provide your Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) or Legal Practitioner Number (LPN) if you are a registered agent or legal practitioner.
- Indicate clearly whether you are notifying a new appointment or the end of an appointment.
- If you are an exempt person, state the reason for exemption (e.g., close family member, sponsor, etc.).
- If you are ending your appointment, ensure your client completes the declaration on page 6 to confirm the withdrawal is authorised.
- Remember: if you are only an authorised recipient, use Form 956A instead of this form.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCThe form is used to notify the Department of Home Affairs about the appointment or ending of appointment of a migration agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person.
- SRCExempt persons must not charge a fee for immigration assistance; if they do, they commit an offence with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment.
- SRCIf you are only appointed to receive documents (authorised recipient), use Form 956A instead of Form 956.
- SRCAll persons listed on the form are considered to have appointed the same person for immigration assistance and as authorised recipient where indicated.
- SRCWhen ending an appointment, the client must complete a declaration on page 6 to confirm the withdrawal is authorised.
- SRCElectronic communications are not secure unless encrypted; the Department will only use them if you consent.
- SRCThe form must be completed in English using block letters and opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- SRCA separate form 956 must be completed for each matter (e.g., each visa application).
Common confusion points
Confusing Form 956 with Form 956A – Form 956 is for migration agents/exempt persons, while Form 956A is for authorised recipients.
Not realising that exempt persons cannot charge fees – even a small fee can lead to serious penalties.
Forgetting to have the client complete the declaration on page 6 when ending an appointment – this is mandatory.
Assuming that listing only one person on the form covers all applicants – you must list all persons who are appointing you.
Using the form without opening it in Adobe Acrobat Reader – it may not display or print correctly.
Not indicating whether it is a new appointment or an ending – the Department needs this to process correctly.
Source transparency
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