The Department of Home Affairs is an Australian Government department responsible for immigration, citizenship, border control, and national security policy and services, including online visa and citizenship applications.
About Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is the federal department responsible for immigration and citizenship services, customs and border protection, and aspects of national security. Through its website homeaffairs.gov.au and online ImmiAccount portal, it manages visa applications (tourist, student, work, partner, permanent residency), citizenship applications, border and customs services, and related compliance activities. Payments to the Department are usually government fees for applications or services, charged in Australian dollars (AUD), even if you apply from overseas.
A charge from the “Australian Government Department of Home Affairs” (or similar wording such as “HOME AFFAIRS”, “AUS IMMIGRATION”, “IMMI*HOMEAFFAIRS” or “AUS GOV – HOME AFFAIRS”) will typically appear when you pay a visa application charge, citizenship application fee, sponsorship/nomination fee, or other immigration-related government fee via ImmiAccount or a related government payment portal. These are generally one‑off payments for a specific application, but you may see multiple charges if you submitted more than one application (for example, separate applications for family members) or if you paid for additional services such as a subsequent temporary application charge or a repeat application. In some cases, a temporary authorisation or “pending” charge may appear when your card is validated, which later disappears or is replaced by the final fee.
If you’re unsure about a Home Affairs charge, first sign in to your ImmiAccount (or the online system you used) and review your payment history, receipts, and application reference numbers. Match the date and amount on your bank statement with the official receipt issued when you paid; receipts are usually emailed and also available for download in your account. For questions or corrections, you can use the “Payment issues” or “Technical support” options in ImmiAccount, submit an online enquiry form via homeaffairs.gov.au, or call 131 881 from within Australia (or contact your nearest Australian embassy/consulate if you are overseas). If you suspect a duplicate payment or error, gather your receipt numbers, application IDs, and statement screenshots before contacting them or your bank for further assistance.
Bank Statement Variations
2 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
What types of payments to the Department of Home Affairs commonly show up on bank statements?
Most charges are visa application charges (for visitor, student, work, skilled, partner, family, or permanent residency visas), citizenship application fees, or sponsorship/nomination fees paid online through ImmiAccount. You may also see fees related to subsequent temporary application charges, certain border or customs-related payments, or correction fees for previous applications. These payments are government fees and are generally non‑recurring, tied to a specific application or service.
What are typical amounts for Department of Home Affairs charges?
Amounts vary widely depending on the type of visa or service and are charged in Australian dollars (AUD). For example, visitor visas are often a few hundred AUD, while some skilled, partner, or business visas can be several thousand AUD; citizenship application fees are usually in the low hundreds of AUD. If your bank account is in another currency, the final amount may differ due to exchange rates and any international transaction fees your bank applies. For the most accurate current costs, use the Visa Pricing Estimator on homeaffairs.gov.au.
Why do I see more than one Home Affairs charge, or a charge and a refund/adjustment?
Multiple charges can appear if you lodged applications for several people, submitted more than one type of application, or made a new application after a previous one was withdrawn or refused. You might also see what looks like a duplicate when a temporary card authorisation is placed and later reversed, leaving only the final processed fee. In rare cases of overpayment or technical errors, you may see a refund or adjustment from the Department, which will usually be accompanied by an email explaining the outcome. Always compare the dates and amounts with your receipts and ImmiAccount records.
How can I confirm what specific application a Home Affairs charge relates to?
Log in to your ImmiAccount and go to the ‘Payments’ or ‘Transactions’ area to view your payment history and official receipts. Each receipt will list the visa or citizenship application type, the applicant’s name, the date of payment, and the exact amount charged. Match this with your bank statement date (keeping in mind possible time zone differences) to identify the corresponding charge. If you can’t find the receipt, search your email for messages from no-reply@homeaffairs.gov.au or similar government email addresses.
How do I get help if I think I was charged incorrectly by the Department of Home Affairs?
First, verify the charge against your ImmiAccount payment records and any receipts or emails from the Department. If you still believe there’s been an error—such as a duplicate payment or wrong amount—use the online enquiry forms on homeaffairs.gov.au (look for ‘Payment issues’ or ‘Technical problems’ under Help and Support) and attach copies of your receipts and bank statement (with sensitive details obscured). You can also call 131 881 from within Australia, or contact your nearest Australian embassy/consulate if you are overseas, providing your application ID, receipt number, and details of the charge. If advised by the Department, you may then contact your bank to dispute a transaction.
Does the Department of Home Affairs place temporary authorisation holds on my card?
Yes, when you submit a payment online, your bank may show a temporary authorisation or ‘pending’ charge while the transaction is being processed. This is usually for the same amount as the fee and is used to verify your card; it typically disappears within a few business days, leaving only the settled transaction. If a pending hold remains for an unusually long time, check your ImmiAccount to confirm whether the payment succeeded and then contact your bank if necessary.
Can I cancel or reverse a Home Affairs payment if I change my mind about my application?
In most cases, visa application charges and citizenship fees are non‑refundable once the application has been lodged, even if you later withdraw it or it is refused. You generally cannot ‘cancel’ the fee the way you might cancel a subscription service, because it is a government processing charge, not an ongoing service. If you believe you have special circumstances (for example, a clear duplicate payment or system error), you can submit an enquiry or refund request through homeaffairs.gov.au with full documentation, but approval is not guaranteed.
How can I contact the Department of Home Affairs about a charge if I’m outside Australia?
If you are overseas, you usually cannot call the 131 881 number, but you can contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission, or consulate for guidance; contact details are listed on homeaffairs.gov.au under ‘Offices’. You can also use the online enquiry forms on the Department’s website, selecting the category that best matches your issue (such as ‘online services’ or ‘payment issues’). When submitting an enquiry, provide your full name, date of birth, passport number, application ID, receipt number (if available), and a clear description of the charge and concern.