Form 1022: telling the Department when something changes

Small changes can cause big problems in a visa matter if the Department is not told about them. A new address, a new passport, a relationship change or the birth of a child can affect how the Department contacts an applicant and how it assesses the application.

Form 1022 is one of the main ways people notify the Department of Home Affairs about changed circumstances. It is a short form, but the obligation behind it is serious, and failing to update details can lead to missed deadlines, delays or decisions being made on outdated information.

What Form 1022 is for#

Form 1022 is called Notification of changes in circumstances. It is used to tell the Department about certain changes after a visa application has been lodged, or after a visa has been granted, where the Department needs updated information.

The form covers practical details such as a new residential address, postal address, email address or passport. It also covers personal changes, including marriage, separation, divorce, the birth of a child, a change of name and, in some cases, changes to employment or study details.

The exact changes that matter will depend on the visa process involved. The key point is procedural: if details given to the Department are no longer correct, the record often needs to be updated.

Why updating the Department matters#

The Department sends requests, notices and decisions using the contact details on file. If an address, email address or phone number is old, an applicant can miss a request for more information, a health examination notice or a deadline to respond.

That can have serious consequences. A case can be delayed, decided on the information already available, or refused if required material is not provided in time.

There is also a broader legal issue. Australian migration law expects information given to the Department to be correct and kept up to date where required. If outdated information stays on file, even where the original mistake seems minor, it can create bigger problems later when records no longer match passports, identity documents or family details.

This is one reason registered migration agents and Australian legal practitioners usually ask clients to report changes quickly. If a paid representative is involved, the Code of Conduct 2021 also requires clear written arrangements and proper record keeping, including written agreements and fee disclosure, see ss42, 46 and 56. If a person wants professional help, it is worth checking that the operator is properly registered before sharing documents or paying money. VisaBid explains how to check an operator.

Common changes that are usually reported#

Address changes are the most obvious example. If a person moves house, changes postal details or starts using a different email address, the Department's records may need to be updated so correspondence goes to the right place.

Identity document changes are also common. If a passport expires and a new passport is issued, or if a person changes their name after marriage or for another legal reason, the Department may need the new details.

Family changes often trigger an update as well. Marriage, divorce, separation, the start or end of a de facto relationship, the birth of a child or the death of a family member can all be relevant to a visa record or pending application.

Sometimes employment, education or other background details may also need to be updated, depending on the visa process. This is where many people assume a change is too small to matter. In practice, small changes can become important if they affect eligibility criteria, contact details, identity records or family composition. This article is general information only, not advice on any person's situation.

What information usually goes on Form 1022#

Form 1022 is designed to show what has changed, not to repeat an entire visa application. It usually asks for identifying details such as full name, date of birth, client ID or file reference, and the visa application details if there is a current application.

It then asks for the old information and the new information. For example, a previous address and a new address, an old passport number and a new passport number, or previous family details and updated family details.

Supporting documents are often important. A new passport biodata page, a marriage certificate, a birth certificate, a divorce order or evidence of a legal name change may be needed so the Department can update the record accurately.

The form should be completed carefully and consistently with other information already given to the Department. Inconsistencies can lead to further questions. False or misleading information, or false documents, can create much more serious issues under the Migration Act, including s234 and s245AR, and Public Interest Criterion 4020.

How Form 1022 is lodged#

The Department's systems change from time to time, and some updates can be made through ImmiAccount while others may still use a paper form, email channel or other process set by the relevant processing area. The current Department instructions for the visa type and the stage of the matter need to be checked before lodging.

In general, the form is completed, signed and sent with any supporting documents. If there is an active application, the update should clearly identify that application so the new information can be matched to the correct file.

Keeping a copy is important. A saved PDF, a submission confirmation, an email sent record or courier tracking can help show when the Department was notified.

If a registered migration agent or lawyer is already appointed, they may handle the update. Where a representative is appointed or changed, Form 956 can also be relevant, and the legal framework around appointment of migration agents is set out in s312A of the Migration Act. Anyone offering immigration assistance for a fee in Australia must be a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner, unless an exception applies. Unregistered assistance can breach s280, and charging for it can breach s281.

What can happen if changes are not reported#

The most immediate problem is often practical. Department letters go to the wrong address, a deadline is missed and the applicant does not find out until it is too late.

The next problem is documentary inconsistency. A visa file that still shows an old passport, old relationship status or old name can cause confusion when the Department later asks for evidence, or when a person deals with another part of government using updated documents.

In some cases, the consequences are much heavier than people expect. If the Department believes information was withheld, or that records are inconsistent in a material way, the matter can expand beyond a simple update request. Delays, requests for explanation, refusal issues or later problems with sponsorship or further applications can follow.

That is why this small form matters. The task looks administrative, but the consequences of ignoring it can be out of proportion to the amount of information involved.

Getting professional help with a change of circumstances#

Some updates are straightforward, such as a new email address or a replacement passport. Others are more sensitive, especially changes involving relationships, children, identity details or information that does not match what was given earlier.

In those situations, some people ask a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner to prepare the notification and explain what documents are needed. On VisaBid, a person can describe a case and get quotes from registered migration agents and Australian legal practitioners, then compare itemised pricing and service scope.

Professional fees vary. Simple administrative updates may be modestly priced, while complex matters involving multiple documents, inconsistencies or urgent deadlines can cost more. Before paying, it helps to read the agent's consumer information and written agreement. Under the Code of Conduct 2021, a consumer guide must be given first, see s38, and money must not be taken before the written agreement is in place, see s51. VisaBid also publishes a general cost estimator.

Common questions#

Do I have to tell immigration if I move house?#

A change of residential or postal address is one of the most common updates made to Department records. It matters because the Department may send requests, notices and decisions to the address on file.

Can I update my passport details after I lodge my visa?#

Passport details can change after lodgement, especially when an old passport expires and a new one is issued. The Department usually needs the new document details so identity records stay accurate and future correspondence matches current documents.

What happens if I forgot to tell the Department about a relationship change?#

A relationship change can affect the information held on the file and may affect how the Department assesses parts of the application. If the records are not updated, the Department may continue using outdated information and may later ask for an explanation or extra documents.

Can an agent submit Form 1022 for me?#

A registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner can usually help prepare and lodge a change of circumstances notification if they are properly appointed. If someone offers that service for a fee in Australia, it is important to confirm they are authorised, because unregistered immigration assistance can breach s280 of the Migration Act.

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About this guide. This is general information about how a process works in Australia. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Government charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and check any agent on the OMARA register.