How to link a migration agent in ImmiAccount

Form 956 versus Form 956A

These two forms serve different purposes, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes applicants make:

Form 956 — Advice on using a migration agent

Form 956 is an acknowledgement form. By signing it, you confirm that you have received information about the role of migration agents, the complaints process, and the risks of using an unregistered agent. It does not give anyone authority to act on your behalf or receive your correspondence. It is essentially a disclosure document.

You fill in Form 956 when:
- You are using a migration agent and need to acknowledge that you received the required consumer information.
- You decided not to use an agent and are confirming that you received advice about what agents do.

Form 956A — Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient

Form 956A is the operative form. By submitting it, you are telling the Department: "Send all correspondence about my application to this person (my agent) instead of directly to me." This is what actually links your agent to your application in the Department's systems.

You fill in Form 956A when:
- You want to appoint a migration agent (or any other person) as your authorised recipient for a specific application.
- You want to withdraw a previously appointed authorised recipient (e.g., when changing agents or deciding to self-represent).

In short: Form 956 is about disclosure. Form 956A is about authorisation. You almost always need both, but it is the 956A that creates the formal link.

How to link an agent in ImmiAccount

The process for linking a migration agent involves uploading a completed Form 956A to your application:

1. Download Form 956A from the Department of Home Affairs website. Ensure you are using the current version of the form.
2. Complete the form. You will need:
- Your full name and date of birth as recorded on the application.
- The application ID or TRN (Transaction Reference Number).
- Your agent's full name.
- Your agent's MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number).
- Your agent's contact details (address, phone, email).
3. Sign the form. The form requires your signature (or electronic signature where accepted). Your agent may also need to sign a section of the form.
4. Save the form as a flat PDF. The downloaded form is often a form-fillable PDF, which ImmiAccount rejects. After filling it in, use "Print to PDF" or "Save as" to create a standard, non-interactive PDF. Rename the file using only letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores — for example, `Form-956A-signed.pdf`.
5. Log into ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au.
6. Open your application and click Attach documents.
7. Select the appropriate document type (typically "Authorised recipient" or "Agent appointment") from the dropdown.
8. Upload the flattened Form 956A.
9. Confirm the upload and verify the document appears in your attached documents list.

Once the Department processes the form, your agent will be recorded as your authorised recipient. Correspondence for that application will be directed to the agent's contact details rather than yours.

What linking an agent enables

Once a Form 956A is processed:

- The Department sends all correspondence about the application to your agent.
- Your agent can communicate with the Department on your behalf regarding that specific application.
- If the agent has their own ImmiAccount, they can manage the application from their account (upload documents, view status, respond to requests).
- You still retain access to your own application through your ImmiAccount, but correspondence is copied or redirected to the agent.

The authorisation is application-specific. A 956A for one application does not extend to other applications you may have. If you want the same agent to handle multiple applications, you need a separate 956A for each.

How to revoke agent access

You can revoke an agent's authorisation at any time by submitting a new Form 956A:

1. Download a fresh Form 956A.
2. Complete Part D of the form, which deals with withdrawal of an authorised recipient.
3. Specify the agent being withdrawn and, if applicable, appoint a replacement or indicate that you will self-represent.
4. Upload the completed form to your application in ImmiAccount using the same attach documents process.

Once processed, the Department will stop sending correspondence to the former agent and redirect it to you (or to a newly appointed representative).

If you are unable to access ImmiAccount or the upload function, you can also revoke agent access by:

- Writing to the Department directly and requesting the withdrawal.
- Lodging the Form 956A by post or in person at a departmental office.

Checking MARA registration

Before appointing any migration agent, verify their registration with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Only registered migration agents are legally permitted to provide immigration assistance in Australia.

To check registration:

1. Visit mara.gov.au.
2. Use the Register of Migration Agents search function.
3. Enter the agent's name or MARN.
4. Confirm that their registration is current and that there are no sanctions or conditions on their registration.

Using an unregistered agent is risky — they are not bound by the code of conduct, you have no recourse through the complaints process, and their involvement could complicate your application.

Sponsor accounts and partner visas

For partner visa applications (subclasses 820/801, 309/100), the sponsoring partner needs their own separate ImmiAccount. The sponsor uses the applicant's TRN to link to the application from their own account. This is a different process from agent linking — the sponsor is a party to the application, not an authorised recipient.

If both the applicant and the sponsor want to use the same migration agent, each person submits their own Form 956A for the application. The agent can then communicate with the Department on behalf of both parties.

Common mistakes to avoid

- Uploading a form-fillable PDF: ImmiAccount rejects interactive PDFs. Always flatten the form before uploading.
- Confusing Form 956 with Form 956A: Only 956A creates the formal link. Uploading a 956 alone will not authorise your agent.
- Using an expired version of the form: The Department updates forms periodically. Download a fresh copy from the official website each time.
- Forgetting to submit a 956A for each application: Authorisation does not carry over between applications.
- Not checking MARA registration: Always verify before appointing.

Can I appoint someone who is not a migration agent as my authorised recipient?

Yes. Form 956A allows you to appoint any person — not just a registered migration agent — as your authorised recipient. However, only registered migration agents can provide immigration assistance. A non-agent authorised recipient can receive correspondence but cannot give you immigration advice.

Does my agent need to be linked in ImmiAccount for them to lodge my application?

Not necessarily. An agent can lodge an application through their own ImmiAccount on your behalf without you linking them from your account. The Form 956A is about who receives correspondence. If your agent lodges the application, they may already be recorded as the lodging party — but a 956A is still recommended to formalise the correspondence arrangement.

Can I have two agents linked to the same application?

No. You can only have one authorised recipient per application at any time. Appointing a new agent via Form 956A automatically withdraws the previous one.

What happens to my application if my agent's MARA registration expires?

If your agent's registration lapses, they can no longer legally provide immigration assistance. The Department may continue sending correspondence to them as the recorded authorised recipient until you submit a new 956A. It is your responsibility to monitor your agent's registration status and act if it changes.

How long does it take for the Department to process a 956A?

Processing times vary. In straightforward cases, the change may be reflected within a few business days. During peak periods or for complex cases, it may take longer. Until the form is processed, correspondence will continue to be directed to the previously recorded recipient.

Can I link an agent to an application that has already been decided?

There is generally no practical reason to do so. Once a visa has been granted or refused and the application is finalised, no further correspondence is generated. A 956A is most relevant for active, in-progress applications.