5 Essential Tips for Perfecting Your Australian Migration Documents

When preparing for an Australian visa application, the documents you submit are the foundation of your case. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) relies on this evidence to verify every claim you make about your identity, skills, character, and relationships. 

One of the most common reasons for processing delays or even visa refusal is the submission of invalid, expired, or non-compliant documentation. To ensure a smooth, successful application, here are five crucial, up-to-date tips you need to know about your migration documents. 

 

 

1. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check Purpose

A police clearance is mandatory for most substantive visa applications, particularly for permanent residency and citizenship. The key requirement for an AFP check is selecting the correct purpose code. 

The Key Detail: When applying online for your AFP National Police Check (NPC), you must select the purpose that includes “Immigration/Citizenship” or the corresponding Code 33. 

• Why it Matters: An AFP check issued for a general employment, licensing, or volunteer purpose will not be accepted by the DHA, as it may not cover all relevant checks required under the Migration Act. Using the wrong code will result in delays as you must obtain a new, correctly coded certificate. 

• Transparency is Mandatory: Full and truthful disclosure of all legal history, even minor or spent convictions, is legally required. Non-disclosure can be interpreted as a breach of Public Interest Criterion 4020 (PIC 4020) for providing misleading information, which results in a mandatory three- or ten-year ban on new visa grants. 

 

 

2. English Test Validity and Timing

English language test results (such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT) are generally required to claim points or meet the minimum English threshold for a visa. 

• Validity for Points: For the majority of skilled and sponsored visas (e.g., subclasses 189, 190, 491), the English test result must have been obtained within the three years immediately before the date of the visa application lodgement. 

• Validity for Skills Assessments: Some assessing bodies (like VETASSESS) require the test to be taken within a specific timeframe before they issue your skills assessment. 

• Crucial Timing: Always verify that the date you sat the test falls within the accepted three-year window relative to your visa lodgement date (depending on the application). Submitting results outside this period will invalidate your claim for English language points, potentially leaving you short of the required points total. 

 

 

 

3. Comprehensive Evidence of Employment

When claiming work experience, especially for points-tested visas, the DHA requires comprehensive, verifiable proof of both your employment duties and remuneration. 

Merely providing an employer reference letter is insufficient. Your application should include: 

• Payment Evidence (Mandatory): Payslips (covering the claimed period), bank statements showing corresponding salary deposits, and official Australian Taxation Office (ATO) documents (like Payment Summaries or Income Statements). 

• Duties and Position Evidence: A Statement of Service or statutory declaration from your employer that details your specific job duties and responsibilities and confirms the dates of employment. These duties must align closely with the duties described for your nominated occupation in the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) classification. 

• Contracts: Employment contracts that specify your remuneration, hours, and employment type (full-time, part-time). 

 

 

 

4. Skills Assessment Validity at the Point of Invitation

For skilled visas that require an Expression of Interest (EOI), your Skills Assessment must be confirmed as valid not only at the time of lodgement but also at the time your invitation to apply (ITA) is issued. 

• The Critical Rule: Your skills assessment must be valid on the date you are invited to apply for the visa (e.g., subclass 189, 190, or 491). 

• General Timelines: Assessments are typically valid for two to three years from the date of issue, depending on the assessing authority (VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, ANMAC, etc.). 

• Actionable Tip: If your skills assessment expires after you submit your EOI but before you receive an invitation, you must obtain a renewal/revalidation from the assessing body before you receive an invitation. If you are invited with an expired assessment, the visa application will fail. 

 

 

 

5. NAATI CCL Test Results for Points

The NAATI Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test is often taken to claim 5 additional points under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test. 

• Validity Period: NAATI CCL results are valid for five years from the date of the test. 

• Crucial Timing: Similar to the English test, your NAATI CCL results must be valid at the time you lodge your visa application if you intend to claim the 5 points. 

• Don’t Delay: If your NAATI certificate is due to expire soon, ensure you lodge your visa application well before the expiry date to secure the points. There is no provision to use an expired NAATI result for points claiming. 

 

Navigating the documentary requirements for an Australian visa is less about the volume of papers and more about the quality, accuracy, and compliance of each document. The slightest discrepancy or timing error can lead to a refusal. 

Each visa subclass has unique requirements, and current immigration law is constantly refined. Working with a Registered Migration Agent ensures your documents are meticulously prepared, valid, and compliant with the latest regulations, providing you with the best chance for a positive outcome. 

At NB Migration Law, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step — from preparing your documents and verifying eligibility to lodging your visa with confidence.