VisaChief Form 956 vs Form 956A — what's the difference?
Form 956 appoints a registered migration agent, lawyer or exempt person to act for you; Form 956A only appoints an authorised recipient to receive your mail. If a migration agent is helping you, use 956 - not 956A.
Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person
What it is: Form 956 notifies the Department of Home Affairs that a client has appointed a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person to provide immigration assistance and, if applicable, to receive documents on the client's behalf. It can also be used to notify the Department that such an appointment has ended. A separate form must be completed for each matter.
Who needs it: It is completed by the registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person who has been appointed by a client (such as a visa applicant or sponsor), with the client signing the relevant declaration to confirm the appointment.
Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
What it is: Form 956A is used to appoint, or withdraw the appointment of, an authorised recipient who receives Department correspondence that would otherwise be sent to the applicant. Once appointed, the applicant is taken to have received any documents sent to the authorised recipient, and normally will not receive a separate copy. Only one authorised recipient can be appointed at a time for a particular matter.
Who needs it: It is completed by a visa applicant or other person dealing with the Department who wants their mail directed to (or stopped from going to) an authorised recipient. It is not used where a migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person providing immigration assistance will also be the recipient (form 956 is used instead).
Form 956 vs Form 956A — FAQ
What is the difference between Form 956 and Form 956A?
Form 956 appoints a registered migration agent, lawyer or exempt person to act for you; Form 956A only appoints an authorised recipient to receive your mail. If a migration agent is helping you, use 956 - not 956A.
Do I need Form 956 or Form 956A?
Use Form 956 if: It is completed by the registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person who has been appointed by a client (such as a visa applicant or sponsor), with the client signing the relevant declaration to confirm the appointment. Use Form 956A if: It is completed by a visa applicant or other person dealing with the Department who wants their mail directed to (or stopped from going to) an authorised recipient. It is not used where a migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person providing immigration assistance will also be the recipient (form 956 is used instead).
Can I fill in Form 956 and Form 956A online for free?
Yes. VisaChief has a free online filler and PDF generator for both - and links the official Department of Home Affairs PDFs. VisaChief is independent and not affiliated with the Australian Government.
Browse all Australian visa forms, or open Form 956 or Form 956A directly.