ImmiAccount application stuck on 'Received' – what it means and what you can do

What "Received" actually means

The "Received" status confirms that the Department's system has formally accepted and logged your application. Your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) is active, your payment (if applicable) has been recorded, and the application is sitting in the processing queue for your visa subclass.

What "Received" does not mean is that a case officer has opened your file, reviewed your documents, or begun any assessment. No active processing has started yet. Think of it as your application waiting in line at the counter with a ticket number but nobody has called your number yet.

This status was introduced under its current name on 2 March 2018 as part of a broader status rename across ImmiAccount. The label itself has not changed since then.

How "Received" differs from "Initial assessment"

The jump from "Received" to "Initial assessment" is the transition that applicants watch for most closely. Here is the distinction:

Received — Application is in the queue. No case officer activity has begun.
Initial assessment — A case officer or automated system check has started reviewing the application.

The gap between these two statuses is where most of the waiting happens. The Department processes applications broadly in the order they are received, but priority can vary based on visa subclass, the applicant's circumstances, and internal resourcing. There is no fixed timeline for how long "Received" lasts.

Standard processing times

The Department publishes estimated processing times for each visa subclass on its website. These times represent the period from lodgement to decision, not the time spent on any individual status. They are typically shown as a range (for example, "75% of applications processed in X months, 90% in Y months").

Processing times are updated regularly and vary significantly between visa types. A visitor visa may move through "Received" in days, while a skilled or partner visa may sit on "Received" for months. The Department's processing times page is the authoritative source for current estimates.

It is important to understand that these published times are statistical estimates, not guarantees or service-level commitments. Individual applications may fall outside the stated range.

Why your application may sit on "Received" longer than expected

Several factors can affect how long an application stays on "Received":

- Visa subclass volume. Some subclasses receive far more applications than others. Higher volume means longer queues.
- Program year allocation. The Australian Government sets annual caps and planning levels for certain visa categories. When allocations are nearing their limit, processing may slow.
- Seasonal patterns. Lodgement spikes around academic calendars, financial years, or policy change deadlines can create backlogs.
- Priority processing arrangements. Certain visa types or circumstances receive priority processing, which can affect the relative position of other applications in the queue.

None of these factors indicate a problem with your specific application. A long wait on "Received" is, in most cases, simply a reflection of queue length.

What you can do while waiting

While you cannot accelerate the Department's processing, there are useful steps to take during the wait.

Check your ImmiAccount messages regularly. Log in to your ImmiAccount and check the message centre. The Department communicates requests for additional information, health examination invitations, and other correspondence through this channel. Missing a message can delay your application further.

Make sure your contact details are current. If your email address, phone number, or mailing address has changed since you lodged, update them in your ImmiAccount profile. The Department needs to be able to reach you.

Upload any missing or updated documents. If you realise you omitted a document or have received an updated version (for example, a renewed passport), you can attach it to your application. Remember the file upload limits: each file must be under 5 MB, filenames can only contain letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores, and encrypted or form-fillable PDFs will be rejected.

Do not submit duplicate applications. Lodging a second application for the same visa will not speed things up. It will create confusion and may complicate both applications.

Keep track of your visa expiry dates. If you are in Australia on a current visa, make sure you understand when it expires and whether any bridging visa arrangements apply. This is a matter to discuss with a registered migration agent if you are uncertain, not something the portal itself resolves.

When to contact the Department

The Department generally advises applicants not to contact them about processing status unless the published processing time for your visa subclass has been exceeded. If your application has been on "Received" for longer than the published 90th-percentile processing time, you can submit an enquiry through the Department's online form or contact the Global Service Centre.

Before contacting them, have your TRN and application details ready. The Department will not typically provide specific updates on queue position or predicted timelines beyond what is published.

How to check your status

Log in to your ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au. Your applications are listed on the main dashboard. The status column shows the current label. Click on the application to see any messages or requests associated with it.

If you are having trouble logging in, note that multi-factor authentication has been mandatory since 18 June 2025. If you have not set up MFA, you will be prompted to do so before you can access your account.

Is "Received" the same as "In Progress"?

No. "In Progress" was the old status name used before 2 March 2018. It was renamed to "Initial assessment." "Received" is a separate, earlier status indicating the application is in the queue but not yet under active review.

Can I call the Department to ask why my application is still on "Received"?

You can contact the Global Service Centre, but they generally will not provide status updates beyond confirming that the application is in the queue. They typically advise waiting until the published processing time has been exceeded before making enquiries.

Does uploading more documents change my status from "Received"?

No. Uploading documents does not trigger a status change. The status moves to "Initial assessment" when the Department begins actively reviewing your application, regardless of document uploads.

My friend lodged the same visa type after me and is already on "Initial assessment." Why?

Processing is broadly first-in, first-out, but individual applications can move at different speeds depending on the complexity of checks required, the completeness of the application, and internal allocation. A later lodgement moving faster does not necessarily indicate a problem with your application.

Should I withdraw and resubmit to get a fresh place in the queue?

No. Withdrawing and resubmitting would place you at the back of the queue with a new lodgement date and may require a new visa application charge. There is no benefit to this approach.

How will I know when my status changes?

ImmiAccount does not send push notifications for status changes. You need to log in and check. However, if the Department sends you a message or request, you will typically receive an email notification to the address linked to your account. Check your spam and junk folders if you are expecting correspondence.