Welcome to the website of the Department of Home Affairs at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. Home Affairs’ main webpage can be accessed at: http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Latest News / Important Notices
For the latest immigration and citizenship news, see News archive.
Business visitor visa (subclass 600) - 5 year validity
The Australian Government has announced improved visa access to Australia.
- Business Visitor visa (subclass 600) validity will be extended up to five years.
- These measures reaffirm Australia’s commitment to the ASEAN region by improving access and enabling closer economic collaboration.
- For further information about the Business Visitor visa (subclass 600) visit Visitor visa (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream (homeaffairs.gov.au)
These changes came into effect on 01 April 2024.
For more information about Home Affairs, including immigration and citizenship, visit our website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Applying for an Australian visa from the Philippines
The Department of Home Affairs encourages visa applicants to Check twice, submit once! Please check out the video to ‘Get it right the first time for a faster visa process’
The Department of Home Affairs’ visa finder can assist you to identify the correct visa for your travel to Australia. So that we can process your application as quickly as possible for you, please ensure that you:
Read all the available information and instructions on the front of the application form and our website
Complete all the required details in the application form
Use our checklists to ensure you include all the required documentation
Make your appointment to have your biometrics collected as soon as you receive the request letter
All visa applications for Australia are required to be lodged through ImmiAccount. No paper applications are accepted.
Further information regarding ImmiAccount is available on the http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/ website.
Visa Application Charges from 1 July 2023
From 1 July 2023 only Australian dollars will be accepted for Visa Application Charges, please see Visa pricing estimator (homeaffairs.gov.au).
Biometrics
Visa applicants in the Philippines must complete biometric (face photograph and fingerprint scan) collection for each application lodged, irrespective of their nationality, unless they are excluded or exempt from the biometric program.
Biometrics are collected through a quick and easy process that captures a photograph of your face and a 10-digit electronic fingerprint. Applicants will be required to provide their biometrics each and every time they apply for a visa.
When you lodge your application online, you will be sent a request to provide personal identifiers (biometrics) via email. You should make an appointment to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person to provide your biometrics. Take a copy of that email and your passport to the appointment.
You must provide your biometrics within 14 days of online lodgement or notify the relevant visa processing office if unable to do so.
VFS Global operates three ABCCs in the Philippines (in Manila, Cebu and Davao city). The ABCC will charge a service fee for the collection of biometrics.
For more information about biometric collection procedures, fees charged, contact details, ABCC locations, or to book your biometrics appointment, please visit Welcome to VFS Global| vfsglobal.
Enquiries
Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Embassy staff are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.
The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.
If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the Immigration and citizenship website, and click the Ask a question button to get started.
Global Service Centre
If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm your local time.
International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.
Using an interpreter
When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.
Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can also be engaged directly via:
- TIS website: Search | Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or
- Home Affairs website See: Family and friends helping with your application
Compliments, complaints and suggestions
Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department use your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at Compliments, complaints and suggestions.
Allegations related to suspicious border activities
If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime. You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the Border Watch Online Report.
Changes to Australian citizenship certificates from 1 July 2021
Since 1 July 2021, applicants approved for Australian citizenship by descent and Australian citizenship by adoption will receive an Australian citizenship certificate instead of an Australian citizenship extract. The Government will not issue citizenship extracts for applications approved on or after 1 July 2021. You can still use a citizenship extract (issued prior to 1 July 2021), to apply for an Australian Passport.
Applicants are encouraged to provide an Australian postal address with their application. If you are unable to provide one, we will send your certificate to the Australian Embassy and notify you on how you can collect the certificate. For further information, please visit Evidence of citizenship and certificates.
Contacting the processing office
If you have read this information and still need more information or help, you can contact the visa office at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines here: Australian Immigration Enquiry Form.
Visas and Citizenship |
Information for applicants |
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If you are unsure which visa is right for you please use the Visa Finder. |
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Full listing of Australian visas can be found here. |
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Other useful information |
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