How to create an ImmiAccount

What is an ImmiAccount?

An ImmiAccount is an online account with the Department of Home Affairs. You use it to lodge and manage applications online.

According to the department, you can use an ImmiAccount to:

• apply for a visa or citizenship
• apply for an APEC Business Travel Card
• apply for Australian Trusted Trader
• access LEGENDcom
• request visitor access to detention facilities
• create a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) account for an organisation
• access your organisation's education provider report, if you are a principal executive officer

It is not used to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Use the separate ETA process for that.

Who can create an ImmiAccount?

There are two account types.

Individual ImmiAccount. You can create one if you are an applicant, a family member acting for an applicant, or a friend helping with the application.

Organisation ImmiAccount. You can create one if you are a person from an organisation, a registered migration agent, or a person from a sponsoring company.

If you are applying for yourself, you want the individual account. Pick the type that matches your role, because you can later change your account type in the account settings.

What do I need before I start?

Get these ready first. It makes the two sign-up screens quick.

• Your full name as it appears on your passport.
• A phone number and an email address you can access today. You must open a confirmation email.
• Your postal address.
• A device with an authenticator app installed, or ready to install. You need it for login after you sign up.
• A private place to note your username and your secret question answers. You will need the exact answers if you forget your password.

Use your own email address. Do not share an ImmiAccount login with someone else. The Law Council of Australia has advised people to stop sharing ImmiAccount credentials and to set up their own account.

How do I create an ImmiAccount, step by step?

The department's help pages explain who can create an account but do not list each screen. The steps below follow the department's own guide for individuals, which was published in 2015 (version 3). The screens may look different now, so always follow what is on your screen.

1. Open the ImmiAccount login page from the Home Affairs website.
2. Choose "Create ImmiAccount".
3. Complete Step 1 of 2. Enter your title, family name, given names, phone, mobile, email address (twice) and address details. Select Continue.
4. Complete Step 2 of 2. Answer five secret questions, choose a username (or use your email address as the username), enter a password twice, accept the terms and complete the security check. Select Submit.
5. Select Continue on the login successful screen. You arrive at your applications summary.
6. Open the confirmation email and select the link to confirm your email address. Until you do this, you cannot use self-service functions such as getting back a forgotten username or password.
7. Set up multi-factor authentication if you are asked to (next section).

The department's help pages do not state the password rules. Read the on-screen guidance when you choose your password.

How do I set up multi-factor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second check when you log in. Multi-factor authentication is compulsory for ImmiAccount.

An authenticator app (the main option).

The department says several free apps are available, including Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator and Duo Mobile. It does not have its own authenticator app.

1. Install an authenticator app from your phone's app store.
2. Log in to ImmiAccount and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. In the app, add a new account (the "+" icon or "Add account").
4. Scan the QR code on screen, or enter the shared secret key by hand.
5. Enter the code the app shows to confirm.
6. Log out and log in again to test it.

The app shows a 6-digit code that changes every 30 seconds. Use a fresh code each time you log in.

On a computer. The department lists KeePass (a free download from keepass.info) as an option for a PC. It has a separate setup guide.

Email codes. The department offers a 6-digit code sent to your verified ImmiAccount email address. The code is valid for 15 minutes. The department warns that email codes are less secure than an app and says to choose this only if absolutely necessary. Email delivery can also be affected by your mail routing or your organisation's security settings.

How do I log in after I create it?

1. Go to the ImmiAccount login page.
2. Enter your username and password, then select Login.
3. Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app.
4. Select Submit.

Lost your authenticator app? Use the link "I no longer have access to my multi-factor authentication app". You enter your password and answer your secret questions, then you set up your MFA options again.

Forgot your username or password? Use the "forgotten username" or "forgotten password" links on the login page. These work if you confirmed your email address after sign-up.

Part of an organisation? Ask your Organisation Account Administrator (OAA) to reset your password or MFA before you contact the department.

What can I change in my account later?

After you log in you can:

• change your account type
• update your password
• update your email and secret questions
• set alert preferences
• change your multi-factor authentication method

What if something goes wrong?

The department asks you to rule out four things before you contact it about an ImmiAccount problem:

If none of these explains it, use the department's ImmiAccount technical support form. We will add fix-by-fix pages for the most common login and error problems in our ImmiAccount help hub.

Do I need an ImmiAccount for VEVO?

Not usually. VEVO is the system for checking visa conditions. The department's page does not say visa holders need an ImmiAccount to check their own details. Organisations such as employers and education providers must register for an ImmiAccount before they can use VEVO to view conditions of visa holders who have given permission.

See our guide: VEVO check explained and ImmiAccount vs VEVO.