Form 80 for a Visitor Visa: What to Do

Why visitor visa applicants get asked for Form 80

Visitor visa applicants are generally not required to submit Form 80 upfront, but the Department may request it during processing. A Form 80 request is part of the Department's character assessment process and is not a decision on your application.

Common reasons a Form 80 may be requested include:

• Prior visa refusals or cancellations in Australia or elsewhere
• Criminal history in any country
• Extended stays in certain countries in the last 10 years
• Family relationships with Australian citizens or permanent residents under review
• Case officer discretion based on your application details

Receiving a Form 80 request is not uncommon and does not mean your visitor visa will be refused.

Responding to the request on time

Act quickly once you receive a document request or s56 notice. Check the deadline in your ImmiAccount message. Typically you have 28 days, but this can vary and the notice will state the specific deadline.

Late responses may result in a decision being made based on information already available, which could include refusing the visa. If you need more time, contact the Department or a registered migration agent as soon as possible — do not simply let the deadline pass.

What visitor visa applicants need to prepare

Before completing Form 80, gather the following:

• All passports — all countries, all years (current and expired)
• All residential addresses for the last 10 years, with move-in and move-out dates
• All employment during that period — employer names, addresses, job titles, dates
• All international travel outside your home country for the last 10 years
• Any criminal history, charges, or convictions in any country to disclose

Ensure all information is accurate and consistent with your visitor visa application.

What if I have no criminal history?

Most visitor visa applicants have nothing to disclose in the character sections of Form 80. Complete those sections honestly with "No" or "Not applicable" as appropriate. Do not leave sections blank — mark each question explicitly, even if the answer is No.

Leaving questions blank can raise questions about whether the form was completed carefully. A clear and complete form — even one where all character questions are answered No — is the correct approach.

Risk of inconsistencies

Inconsistencies between Form 80 and your original visitor visa application — for example, travel dates, addresses, or passport numbers that do not match — can delay processing or prompt follow-up requests. Before submitting, cross-check your Form 80 against your original visa application to ensure all details are consistent.

See the Form 80 date mismatch guide for a detailed checklist of what to look for.

Where to upload Form 80

Upload your completed Form 80 PDF to ImmiAccount against the specific document request that has been issued — not via email. If you upload to the wrong location, the Department may not link your submission to the request. For step-by-step upload instructions, see the ImmiAccount upload guide.

What FormMate 80 can help with

• Guiding you through all 20 sections of Form 80 with structured input fields
• Auto-saving your progress so you can complete the form across multiple sessions
• Generating a completed, downloadable PDF that you can upload to ImmiAccount
• Helping you organise address history, employment history, and travel history with no-gap prompts

What FormMate 80 cannot do

• FormMate 80 is not affiliated with the Australian Government or the Department of Home Affairs
• It does not provide migration advice, legal advice, or visa advice
• It does not submit Form 80 to the Department on your behalf — you must upload the PDF to ImmiAccount yourself
• It cannot advise you on the specific requirements or circumstances of your individual application
• It cannot extend or modify any deadline stated in a Department request

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a Form 80 request mean my visitor visa will be refused?

No. A Form 80 request is a request for more information, not a decision on your visa. Respond completely and on time. The outcome depends on your full application, not the request itself.

I live outside Australia — can I still use FormMate 80?

Yes. FormMate 80 works in any browser and is not restricted to Australian users. You can complete Form 80, download the PDF, and upload it to ImmiAccount from anywhere in the world.

Does Form 80 need to be in English?

Yes. Form 80 must be completed in English. All names, addresses, employer names, and other details should be written in English characters.

What if I have lived in many countries in the last 10 years?

List all addresses across all countries. There should be no unexplained gaps. FormMate 80's structured input fields make it easier to list multiple countries in sequence.

Can I submit Form 80 by email to the Department?

No. All documents should be submitted through ImmiAccount unless the Department has specifically instructed otherwise in writing. Do not email Form 80.