Australian Embassy, China

澳大利亚驻华大使馆

Embassy address: 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing - Telephone: 5140 4111 - Fax: 5140 4204

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply

4. After You Apply – Other Family Migration

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On this page: Processing times; Verification checks; Health assessment and Assurance of Support (AOS); Contacting us and Notifying you of the decision

Processing Priorities

Under Australia’s family migration program, a high priority is given to child and partner applications. Other family applications have a lower processing priority, and you should expect a substantial wait before your application is finalised.

In the other family categories, carer is given priority over aged dependent relative and remaining relative.

Please note that each application presents different issues that can vary the processing time. Some factors that may delay processing beyond the average processing time include:

• An incomplete application being lodged or requested documents not being submitted promptly;
• Additional checks becoming necessary, including additional interviews:
• Medical issues requiring further tests or treatment, such as tuberculosis;
• Any character issues in relation to the applicant that may require a formal character assessment; and
• changes in the circumstances of the applicant.

Verification Checks

For bona fide purposes, verification checks are conducted during the processing of some applications, including checks made by telephone and by site visits. Please ensure that the contact residential address and telephone number you have provided at the time of application are correct so we have no difficulties in contacting you as this may lead to delays.

Health Assessment and Assurance of Support (AOS)

Our office will contact you in relation to health assessment and Assurance of Support (AOS) at some stage during our processing of your application.

Health Assessment

Our office will provide you with information regarding your medical examination requirements. Please ensure you take this information with you to your appointment at the panel hospital.

Assurance of Support (AOS)

AOS is not required for Carer Visa (Subclass 116) applications, but it is a mandatory requirement for all other Other Family Migration visa applications however an AOS bond is only payable for adult applicants). The AOS scheme enables welfare costs for these migrants to be met by an Australian permanent resident or citizen, rather than the Australian community.

An AOS is a legal commitment by a person (not necessarily the sponsor) to repay to the Australian Government certain welfare payments paid to migrants during their respective AOS period. In the case of Other Family Migration, the waiting period is 2 years.

Please note that although AOS is an immigration requirement, the AOS applications and approvals are processed by Centrelink, not the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. For more information on AOS, the waiting period, and how to apply for AOS through Centrelink, please refer to:

• Assurance of Support - DIAC Fact Sheet
• Waiting Period for Newly Arrived Migrants - Centrelink Fact Sheet
• Assurance of Support - Centrelink Fact Sheet

Contacting Us

Should you need to contact us subsequent to lodging your application, please contact your Case Officer directly via email. Your Case Officer’s contact details are contained in the Acknowledgement Letter that would have been sent to you from our office within a week of the date of application. If you do not have a record of your Case Officer’s email address, please email the Shanghai Visa Office.

Under the Privacy Act 1988 DIAC can only provide information about a visa application to the applicant, an authorised person or an appointed migration agent. If you have not already done so in your visa application form, you can authorise another person, such as your sponsor, to receive communication in respect of your application by completing and lodging Form 956 - Appointment of a migration agent or exempt agent or other authorised recipient.

If you have further documents or materials in support of your application that you wish to mail or courier to our office, in order that these reach your Case Officer without delay, please ensure:

• On the envelope/package: clearly write your application file number; and
• On the first page or cover letter: clearly write your application file number and the name of your Case Officer.

If there are any changes in circumstances relating to your application following the interview, you are obliged to inform this office about them. If you wish to provide any other relevant information in support of your application, please do so in writing. You may use Form 1022 Notification of Changes in Circumstances for this purpose.

Additionally, if you wish to notify our office of any incorrect information that you may have given in your visa application, please do so in writing. You may use Form 1023 Notification of Incorrect Answer(s) for this purpose. Your notification of incorrect information will be taken into account when assessing your visa application.

Notifying You of the Decision

For legal reasons, all advice of visa decisions is sent to applicants and/or their agents/authorised persons by registered mail. Included with this advice will be your passport, and any original supporting documentation provided during the processing of your application. If you change your address for correspondence during the processing of your application, you are obligated to notify us of this change in writing. If refused a visa, applicants are notified of this by a letter accompanied by a decision record giving reasons for refusal and information about review options.

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply

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