Form 80 for Skilled Visa Applicants

Skilled visa applicants for subclasses 189, 190, and 491 may be asked to complete Form 80 — Australia's Personal Character Assessment — as part of their application. This guide explains what Form 80 involves for skilled migration applicants.

Skilled visa subclasses covered

Other skilled visa subclasses — including 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), and 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) — may also have Form 80 requested. Check your ImmiAccount for whether Form 80 has been requested.

When is Form 80 required for skilled visas?

Form 80 is not automatically required for all skilled visa applicants. It is requested by the Department of Home Affairs based on individual circumstances, including:

• Having lived in certain countries for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Having a criminal history in any country
• Previous visa refusals, cancellations, or deportations
• A processing officer request during assessment

Common sections for skilled visa applicants

Employment history (Part F / Q19)

Skilled visa applicants typically have detailed employment histories. Part F / Q19 requires a complete employment history with no gaps — including roles in your home country, any bridging visa periods, and roles while on previous Australian visas. This must be consistent with your skills assessment and the employment history in your Expression of Interest.

Address history (Part D / Q17)

All addresses for the last 10 years, covering multiple countries if you have worked internationally. Even short-term accommodation between permanent addresses must be included.

International travel history (Part E / Q18)

All international travel over the past 10 years, including trips between your home country and Australia and any other countries visited for work or tourism. See the Form 80 travel history guide.

Education history (Part G / Q20)

All educational institutions from secondary school onward, including the institutions whose qualifications were used in your skills assessment.

Criminal history (Part K / Q36)

All criminal charges and convictions in any country. Non-disclosure can result in visa refusal regardless of the nature of the underlying matter. See the Form 80 criminal history guide.

Consistency with other visa documents

For skilled visa applications, Form 80 must be consistent with your Expression of Interest, skills assessment documentation, and any other documents you have provided. Pay particular attention to employment history dates, job titles, and employer details.

How to prepare

Use the Form 80 checklist to gather your information. For skilled visa applicants, also have your skills assessment letter, Expression of Interest details, and any previous Australian visa documents to hand for cross-referencing.

Before you start: what to gather

Assembling information before you open Form 80 dramatically reduces the time it takes to complete. For skilled visa applicants, you will need:

• All current and expired passports (for identity, travel history, and previous visa stamps)
• All addresses for the last 10 years, with exact move-in and move-out dates
• Complete employment history — including employer name, address, job title, and exact start and end dates for every role, with explanations for any gaps
• All international travel over the past 10 years, including short trips and transit stops where you left the airport transit area
• Secondary school and tertiary education records, including the institution used in your skills assessment
• Details of any criminal charges or convictions in any country
• Your skills assessment letter and Expression of Interest details (for cross-checking employment history)

Use the Form 80 checklist for a printable version of this list.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Is Form 80 required for all skilled visa applications?

No. Form 80 is requested by the Department of Home Affairs based on individual circumstances, not automatically required for all applicants. Common triggers include having lived in certain countries, having a criminal history, or previous visa refusals. Check your ImmiAccount for whether it has been requested.

Does Form 80 need to be consistent with my skills assessment?

Yes. The employment history you provide in Form 80 — including dates, job titles, and employer details — must be consistent with the information in your skills assessment documentation and your Expression of Interest. Discrepancies will be questioned during processing.

What is the difference between Form 80 and Form 1221?

Form 80 (Personal Character Assessment) covers your full personal, employment, and character history. Form 1221 (Additional Personal Particulars Information) is a shorter supplementary form covering biographical information. The Department may request one or both. See the Form 80 vs Form 1221 guide for a full comparison.

How do I submit Form 80 for my skilled visa?

Complete Form 80, generate the PDF, and upload it to your ImmiAccount under the relevant document request. If you received a specific character-related request from a processing officer, attach it under that request. If submitting proactively, use the "Documents" or "Personal character" section of your application.

Can I use FormMate 80 for a 189, 190, or 491 visa?

Yes. FormMate 80 works for all visa types where Form 80 may be requested, including skilled visas 189, 190, and 491. It generates a completed Form 80 PDF based on the official Department of Home Affairs template (Design date 03/21 — current version as of June 2026) that you can then submit with your application.