How to find and respond to messages from the Department in ImmiAccount

Where to find messages in ImmiAccount

After logging in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au, correspondence from the Department appears in two places:

- The message centre — accessible from the main dashboard or navigation menu. This is where general notifications and system messages are stored.
- Within the specific application — select the relevant application from your list, and look for a "Messages" or "Correspondence" tab. Requests for information and decision letters are typically attached to the application they relate to, not stored separately.

When new correspondence arrives, a notification badge or indicator may appear on the dashboard. However, do not rely solely on the visual indicator — log in and check each application's correspondence tab regularly.

Email notifications and their limitations

The Department sends email notifications to your registered email address when new correspondence is available in ImmiAccount. These emails typically say something like "You have a new message in your ImmiAccount" and prompt you to log in.

However, these email notifications are alerts only — they do not contain the actual correspondence. You must log in to ImmiAccount to read the full message. Email notifications can also be delayed, caught by spam filters, or blocked by corporate email systems. If you have not heard from the Department in a while, log in to ImmiAccount directly rather than waiting for an email. Make sure emails from the Department's domain are whitelisted in your email settings.

Section 56 requests for additional information

One of the most common types of correspondence is a request under section 56 of the Migration Act 1958. This is a formal request for you to provide additional information or documents that the Department considers relevant to your application. A s56 request will specify:

- What information or documents are required.
- The deadline by which you must respond (commonly 28 days, but this varies).
- How to provide the response (typically by uploading documents to ImmiAccount).

When uploading documents in response to a s56 request, follow the portal's file requirements: each file must be under 5 MB, filenames can only contain letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, dashes, and underscores, and encrypted or form-fillable PDFs are rejected by the system. The maximum number of documents per application is 60 (or 100 for partner visa applications). These upload mechanics are covered in more detail in the ImmiAccount Australia guide.

Section 359A — invitation to comment on adverse information

If the Department has information that is adverse to your application — meaning it could be a reason to refuse the visa — and that information was not provided by you, the Department may be required under section 359A of the Migration Act to invite you to comment on it before making a decision. This is sometimes called a "natural justice letter" or "adverse information notice."

A s359A notice will:

- Describe the adverse information (or the substance of it).
- Explain why the Department considers it relevant to your application.
- Give you a deadline to respond with comments or additional evidence.

This is a significant piece of correspondence. If you receive one, the Department is signalling that it has concerns about your application. The deadline in a s359A notice is strictly enforced. If you do not respond by the deadline, the Department may proceed to make a decision without your input. That decision is more likely to be a refusal if the adverse information goes unaddressed.

Deadlines and what happens if you miss them

Deadlines in Departmental correspondence are not suggestions. If a s56 request gives you 28 days to provide documents and you do not respond:

- The Department may make a decision on the application based on the information it already has.
- There is no automatic extension. You must contact the Department before the deadline if you need more time, and extensions are granted at the Department's discretion.
- For s359A notices, failing to respond means the Department can rely on the adverse information without your rebuttal.

The date the correspondence is placed in your ImmiAccount is generally treated as the date of receipt. You are expected to check your ImmiAccount regularly. "I didn't see the email notification" is not typically accepted as a reason for missing a deadline.

How to respond to requests

To respond to a s56 or s359A request:

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au.
2. Open the relevant application.
3. Navigate to the correspondence or messages section.
4. Open the request and read it carefully — note the deadline and what is being asked.
5. Prepare your documents or written response.
6. Use the "Attach documents" or upload function within the application to submit your response.
7. Ensure filenames comply with the portal's requirements (A-Z, 0-9, dashes, and underscores only; no encrypted or form-fillable PDFs; 5 MB per file).

After uploading, check that the documents appear in the application's document list. There is no separate "submit response" button in most cases — the upload itself serves as your response. If the request asks for a written statement, upload it as a PDF or Word document.

Other types of correspondence

Beyond s56 and s359A notices, the Department may send:

- Health examination invitations — instructions on how to arrange a medical examination with a Bupa panel clinic.
- Biometrics collection requests — instructions to attend an Australian Visa Application Centre for fingerprints and photograph.
- Grant notifications — the visa grant letter, which includes your visa grant number, conditions, and validity dates.
- Refusal notifications — if the application is refused, the letter will include reasons and information about review rights.
- Bridging visa grants — if a bridging visa is granted while your substantive application is being processed.

All of these appear in ImmiAccount and trigger an email notification to your registered address.

How often should I check ImmiAccount for messages?

At a minimum, check weekly while an application is pending. During active processing — particularly after a health examination or after being asked for documents — check every few days.

The Department sent me a message but I missed the deadline. What can I do?

Contact the Department as soon as possible to explain the situation. There is no guarantee of an extension, but acting promptly is better than not acting at all. If a decision has already been made, you may need to explore review options.

Can my migration agent see the correspondence in my ImmiAccount?

If your application was lodged through your agent's organisation ImmiAccount, the correspondence goes to their account. If you lodged it yourself and later appointed an agent, access arrangements depend on how the application is linked. Confirm with your agent where correspondence is being directed.

What is the difference between a s56 request and a s359A notice?

A s56 request asks you to provide information or documents the Department needs. A s359A notice tells you the Department has adverse information and invites you to comment on it before a decision is made. Both have deadlines, and both require a response through ImmiAccount.

Do I get the actual letter in the email notification?

No. Email notifications are alerts only. You must log in to ImmiAccount to read the full correspondence. The email will direct you to log in but will not contain the details of the request or decision.

What if my email address is wrong and I miss a notification?

The Department treats correspondence as received when it is placed in your ImmiAccount, regardless of whether the email notification reached you. It is your responsibility to keep your contact details current and to check ImmiAccount regularly.