Visas and Immigration

We do not provide a visa and citizenship counter service. Australian High Commission staff are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.

Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Visit the Home Affairs website for further information regarding visas or citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.

You can apply online for most Australian visas and citizenship through an ImmiAccount. This is the preferred and most efficient way to apply. Technical assistance is available on the ImmiAccount Technical Assistance webpage.

If you have an ongoing application outside global processing times, you can complete the Australian immigration enquiry form.

Global Service Centre

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm your local time.

International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.

Using an interpreter

When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.

Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can also be engaged directly via:

TIS website: Search | Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or

Home Affairs website See: Family and friends helping with your application

Providing biometrics

All visa applicants in Tonga must submit biometrics for each application lodged, regardless of their nationality, unless they are excluded or exempt from the program. Applicants who have previously provided their biometrics for an Australian visa may be able to submit their biometrics via the free to download Australian Immi App. These applicants will be notified of this option via email shortly after they lodge their visa application.

First time visa applicants who have not previously submitted biometrics must do so at the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in Nuku'alofa,

     Ground Floor of the General Post Office
     Corner Taufa'ahau and Salote Roads,
     Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

The Pacific Engagement Visa

This visa allows citizens of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste to live and work in Australia permanently. Applicants must be selected in a ballot to apply.

For information about how to register for the ballot, visit the Department of Home Affairs: How to register (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Before you use an agent or anyone else to help you with this application, please first visit: Who can help you with your application?(homeaffairs.gov.au)

For more information and up-to-date announcements on the PEV, follow: https://www.facebook.com/PacificEngagementVisa.