I’m going to Australia too!
It’s been a fantastic year of travel for me this year with New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Romania, Turkey, Hong Kong so far… did not expect Australia will be in the pipeline as well, but it is.
The last time I applied for Australian Visa was through VFS Global, a third party agency that handles visa application for Australia and other countries. While the experience was swift and positive, this time I’m going to apply for my Australian Visa directly at the Australian Government Home Affairs website.
The thing is I did not know I can apply directly online because VFS was top of the search result (of course they paid for google-ads. Hopefully you are reading this before starting your own visa application process.
By applying directly with the Australian Government you will SAVE on the following:
- Money – VFS Global Service Fee of 659 pesos
- Time – to schedule to submit your Application Form and Supporting Documents
- Trees – by not having to print Application Form and Supporting Documents
- Time & Money again – buying Managers Check from the Bank to pay for visa fee
Can Filipinos Apply Australian Visa Online?
Yes. Philippine Passport Holders can apply for Australian visa ONLINE –> follow this link
Simply create an IMMI Account, fill up the online form, and attach the requirements.
REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Here are the list of requirement and supporting document you will need to prepare. The best thing about applying online is that you will be submitting them in soft format. Save the Planet by printing less!
Required Documents
- Photo – passport size, light background, follow this specification for file size and photo ratio.
- Travel Document (Passport) – scan pages with personal information; don’t forget signature on page 3 (new passport)
- Evidence of Current Employment or Self Employment – certificate of employment stating your approved Leave of absence
- Evidence of financial status and funding for visits – Scanned pages of my passbooks; I didn’t send these but it can help: bank certificate and credit card statement showing credit limit
- Evidence of the Applicant’s previous travel (beside Australia) – I scanned all the pages of my current passport since I have some visas and travel stamps
- Evidence of planned tourism activities in Australia – I made Visit Australia Itinerary
Supporting Documents – these are not explicitly requested, but it can help establish your identity, intention, and ability to finance yourself
- Other Financial Document – Credit card billing statement, ITR
- Self Employed – business permit, SEC or DTI registration, Annual ITR
There are more options as supporting document, so just choose those applicable to you. For myself, the above “Received” are list of what I submitted.
HOW MUCH IS AUSTRALIAN VISA FEE?
AUSTRALIAN Visa Free is AUD 140 payable via Credit Card or Paypal plus AUD1.85 fee. With the poor credit card exchange rate, I was charged a total of Php 5,843.85. They just increased price on July 1, 2018, d*mn it! I don’t know why they can’t be free like New Zealand Visa
AUSTRALIAN VISA PROCESSING TIME
My Australian visa processing time took 7 days in total or 5 working days. According to the website, the processing time may take up to a STUNNING 19-24 days! My friends’ average is about 2 weeks or 10 working days.
My Visa & Application Timeline
Jul 25 (wed) – Submitted my application form online
Aug 1 (wed) – Visa Approved
I was granted multiple entry visa valid for 1 years from August 1, 2018. I can stay in Australia for 3 months per entry. No label on passport but this notice should be printed for airline staff upon check-in. The last time I got single entry visa, 6 months validity, 3 months duration.
Other Visa Posts
How to Apply Chinese Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply UK Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Tongan Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Korean Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply South African Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Schengen Visa in the Philippines
Hi, may I know from the date of issued of your visa is there a period of time that you have to use it or else it will be forfeited, like within 3 months you have to leave or travel to Australia to use the visa? thank you
Great blog! I just followed you :)
Hi, if i plan to go to australia on april, is it ok if i apply for a visa this january? or is it to soon? another thing, can i take pic of documents instead of scanning…thanks a lot
Apply 3 months before planned entry. You have the time to scan document, so just scan it. Why take risk of it being not compliant?
Hi,
My situation is that I work for our family business (registered under my father’s name with complete documents/requirement), pero wala akong sariling ITR, payroll account etc.
I was wondering kung anong ilalagay ko sa Employment Section sa form. It is okay if I apply as an “Employee” then perhaps I could ask for my parents to provide me COE and leave of absence? Is that allowed?
Thank you.
i think that is ok, state position and salary.
Thank you for replying. One more question po. My father and sister were denied a US visa back in 2003 and 2006, meron pong stamp sa old passport saying that the application was received and the date. Should I scan those stamps and include them in the pdf as well?
Thank you.
Re online payment, specifically thru credit card, can I pay it even though it is in peso account while the fee is in AUD?
Yes it is possible. Your credit card company will automatically convert it.
How early can we apply for a VISA? I booked tickets for June 2020
Generally 3 months before intended entry is the rule.
Do you need to submit like Land titles, house mortgage and other properties in your application?
no, i didn’t have to. i submitted my business papers and bank statement.