Form 956A Explained: Appointing an Authorised Recipient in Australia

If you are dealing with an Australian visa or migration matter, you may be asked whether you want to appoint an authorised recipient.

This is where Form 956A – Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient becomes relevant.

The form itself is relatively straightforward. What matters is understanding the effect of appointing someone to receive immigration correspondence for you.

Once an authorised recipient is appointed, documents relating to the specified immigration matter will generally be sent to that person instead of directly to you.

Importantly, if a document is properly given to your authorised recipient, it is generally treated as having been given to you.

That is why Form 956A should not be treated as simply another administrative form.

What is Form 956A?
Why does appointing an authorised recipient matter?
Form 956 vs Form 956A: what is the difference?
Who can be an authorised recipient?
Can I appoint more than one authorised recipient?
How do I complete Form 956A?
Form 956A and Partner visa applications
How do I change or withdraw an authorised recipient?
What if my authorised recipient receives a Section 57 letter?
Common Form 956A mistakes to avoid
What happens if my authorised recipient misses an important email?
Do I need a lawyer to complete Form 956A?
Form 956A FAQs

What is Form 956A?

Form 956A is used to notify the Department of Home Affairs that you are:

appointing an authorised recipient to receive documents on your behalf; or
withdrawing the appointment of an existing authorised recipient.

An authorised recipient is someone you nominate to receive documents relating to a particular immigration matter.

This may arise during a visa application, visa cancellation process, sponsorship matter or another migration process.

Appointing someone as an authorised recipient does not, by itself, mean that person is authorised to provide you with immigration assistance or legal advice.

Why does appointing an authorised recipient matter?

The most important issue is what happens to your correspondence once the appointment takes effect.

Under section 494D of the Migration Act 1958, documents relating to the specified matter that would otherwise have been given to you must generally be given to your authorised recipient instead.

If the document is given to your authorised recipient, it is taken to have been given to you.

In practical terms, this matters because immigration correspondence can include:

requests for further information;
invitations to comment on adverse information;
notices relating to your application;
visa decisions;
cancellation-related correspondence; and
other documents containing response or review deadlines.

The current Form 956A also explains that, in most circumstances, you will not receive a separate copy of documents sent to your authorised recipient.

For that reason, the person you appoint should be reliable, regularly monitor their communications and forward important correspondence to you promptly.

If you are managing an application yourself but would like legal assistance with preparing or reviewing it, our visa application preparation service explains how Emerson Migration Law can assist.

Form 956 vs Form 956A: what is the difference?

Form 956 and Form 956A are commonly confused, but they are not interchangeable.

Form 956A

Form 956A deals with the appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient.

Its central purpose is to tell the Department of Home Affairs who should receive documents relating to your specified immigration matter.

Form 956

Form 956 is used where a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person is being appointed to provide immigration assistance in the circumstances covered by that form.

The current Form 956A specifically states that you should not use Form 956A where you are appointing a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person to provide immigration assistance and that person will also be your authorised recipient.

In that situation, Form 956 is the relevant form.

If you are uncertain which form applies to your circumstances, it is sensible to clarify this before lodging the appointment.

Who can be an authorised recipient?

An authorised recipient may be another person you trust to receive immigration documents on your behalf.

Depending on your circumstances, that might be:

your spouse or partner;
another family member;
a trusted friend; or
another person assisting you with communications.

The key issue is not simply who you trust personally.

You should also consider whether that person will:

monitor their email or other nominated contact details;
recognise when correspondence is important;
send it to you without delay; and
appropriately protect any sensitive information they receive.

The Form 956A instructions warn that correspondence may contain sensitive information relating to matters such as health and character.

Can I appoint more than one authorised recipient?

Generally, no.

Section 494D of the Migration Act 1958 generally prevents an appointment being varied so that more than one person becomes your authorised recipient for the same matter.

The current Form 956A similarly states that you may appoint only one authorised recipient at a time for a particular application or matter.

If you appoint a new authorised recipient, correspondence will be directed according to the most recent appointment.

How do I complete Form 956A?

The form separates a new appointment from a withdrawal.

If you are making a new appointment, you will generally be asked to provide information including:

your personal details;
the type of application or migration matter involved;
any relevant Home Affairs identifiers;
the authorised recipient’s details;
their contact information; and
the required declarations.

Form 956A also allows other people aged 16 or over who are involved in the same matter to appoint the same authorised recipient.

Take particular care when entering contact details.

An incorrect email address can become much more than a minor administrative mistake if time-sensitive correspondence is sent there.

Once the form is completed, follow the current instructions applying to your particular application or immigration matter for submitting it.

Form 956 and Partner visa applications

For someone dealing with a Partner visa application, control of immigration correspondence can be especially important.

A Partner visa matter may involve requests for further evidence, questions about the relationship or other communications requiring attention while the application is being processed.

If another person receives those communications for you, make sure you have a reliable arrangement for important correspondence to reach you promptly.

How do I change or withdraw an authorised recipient?

Form 956A can also be used to withdraw an authorised recipient.

Speak to a Lawyer today

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Emerson Migration Law for a consultation.

If the person is no longer assisting you, their contact details have changed, or you no longer want them receiving your immigration correspondence, the appointment should be updated promptly.

Do not assume that privately telling the authorised recipient that you no longer need their help automatically updates the immigration record.

Section 494D allows the person who made the appointment to vary or withdraw the authorised-recipient notice.

This issue can be particularly important after:

a relationship breakdown;
a dispute with a family member;
a change in representation;
loss of access to an email account; or
another significant change in circumstances.

If your relationship has ended while a Partner visa application remains unresolved, our guide to Partner visa relationship breakdowns explains some of the wider immigration issues that may arise.

What if my authorised recipient receives a Section 57 letter?

Some immigration correspondence requires careful attention because a response may be needed within a specified period.

A Section 57 invitation is one example.

If information has arisen that may be relevant to refusing a visa application, an applicant may be invited to comment on that information before a decision is made.

Our guide to a Partner visa Section 57 letter explains what this type of correspondence can mean and what should be considered before responding.

If such a notice is sent to your authorised recipient, do not assume that a deadline only starts once that person eventually forwards the document to you.

The legal rules dealing with when documents are given and received can be important, particularly where a response or review period applies.

Common Form 956A mistakes to avoid

Using Form 956A when Form 956 is required

If a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person is being appointed to provide immigration assistance and will also receive your correspondence, check the current Form 956 requirements.

Assuming you will receive your own copy

The current Form 956A states that, under most circumstances, you will not receive a separate copy of documents sent to your authorised recipient.

Appointing someone who does not monitor their communications

A person may be trustworthy but still be unsuitable if they rarely check their email or are likely to overlook important correspondence.

Forgetting to update the appointment

If your circumstances or relationship with the authorised recipient changes, update the appointment promptly.

Assuming Form 956A gives someone authority to discuss your case

Form 956A primarily concerns receipt of documents.

The form itself explains that the Department of Home Affairs cannot necessarily discuss your matter with the authorised recipient unless another appropriate authority or consent applies.

What happens if my authorised recipient misses an important email?

This can be significant.

Under section 494D, where a document is given to your authorised recipient, the document is taken to have been given to you.

This means that the fact you personally did not see an email immediately does not necessarily mean that an applicable deadline has not started.

If you discover that a decision, request or other important notice was sent to your authorised recipient some time ago, seek advice promptly.

The consequences will depend on the particular document, how it was sent, the legislation applying to it and your circumstances.

If the document involves a visa refusal, cancellation or potential review, our visa appeals and refusals team can advise you about the options that may be available.

For matters that have already progressed to merits review, the Administrative Review Tribunal has its own procedures for representatives and authorised recipients.

Do I need a lawyer to complete Form 956A?

Not necessarily.

For many people, completing Form 956A is a relatively straightforward administrative task.

Legal advice becomes more important where the issue surrounding the form is more complicated than the form itself.

For example, you may need advice if:

important correspondence has already been missed;
your visa application is at risk of refusal;
your personal circumstances have changed significantly;
you are changing migration representatives;
a relationship breakdown has affected your application; or
you are unsure how a notice or deadline affects your immigration position.

In those circumstances, the important question may not be how to complete Form 956A, but what you should do about the underlying migration matter.

At Emerson Migration Law, we assist individuals, families and businesses with Australian visa applications and complex migration matters with a focus on clear, careful and practical advice.

If you are unsure whether Form 956, Form 956A or another authority is appropriate for your situation, you can contact Emerson Migration Law to discuss your circumstances.

Form 956A FAQs

What is Form 956A used for?

Form 956A is used to appoint or withdraw an authorised recipient in relation to an Australian immigration matter.

What does an authorised recipient do?

An authorised recipient receives immigration documents relating to the specified matter on your behalf.

Is Form 956A the same as Form 956?

No. Form 956A concerns the appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient. Form 956 applies in the circumstances specified for appointing a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person to provide immigration assistance.

Can a family member be my authorised recipient?

A family member may be appointed as an authorised recipient. You should choose someone who can reliably receive and promptly forward important correspondence.

Can I appoint two authorised recipients?

Generally, no. You may generally have only one authorised recipient at a time for a particular application or matter.

Will I still receive immigration correspondence myself?

Do not assume that you will. The current Form 956A states that, under most circumstances, you will not receive a separate copy of documents sent to your authorised recipient.

Can I withdraw an authorised recipient?

Yes. Form 956A can be used to withdraw an appointment, and section 494D also provides for the person who made the appointment to vary or withdraw it.

What happens if my authorised recipient misses an email?

A document given to your authorised recipient may legally be treated as having been given to you. If the document contains an important deadline or decision, obtain advice promptly.