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Reaching Australia Home Affairs from Overseas Without Breaking the Bank
Hello everyone,
I’m a European citizen seeking guidance on reaching out to the Australian Department of Home Affairs regarding a visa application I submitted from abroad.
This time, my situation is a bit more complex than in previous instances, and I’m concerned because my visa application is taking longer than the usual processing timeframe. I worry that there might be an issue with my application status.
The Australian embassy in London is handling my visa application, but unlike other embassies across Asia, they do not offer a mailing option for inquiries. Unfortunately, I also can’t find an email address for the Department of Home Affairs. The only contact method available to me is to call +61 2 6196 0196.
I heard that before, I could use Skype for international calls at a low rate of €0.03 per minute, which was affordable; however, it seems that this option is no longer available. My current phone operator charges me €1 per minute, which isn’t sustainable for a call that could last over an hour.
My main concern is to confirm if my visa application is correctly processed in their systems. I don’t require them to expedite or prioritize my application; I just need assurance that everything is fine and that it will eventually be reviewed. However, I’m finding it incredibly difficult to make contact with the Department of Home Affairs.
I also have an Optus SIM card that I can reactivate at any time. Is there a way I can use this SIM card to call an Australian landline from Europe at a more affordable rate?
Thank you for your assistance!
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1 Reply
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Hi Ethan,
I understand your frustration with trying to reach the Department of Home Affairs from overseas without spending a fortune.
Unfortunately, Home Affairs does not provide direct email support for visa inquiries, and the +61 2 6196 0196 number is indeed the main contact method.
Here are a few alternative ways to get the information you need without breaking the bank:
1. Optus SIM Card – If your Optus SIM has an active international roaming package, check whether it includes discounted calls to Australian landlines. You may also be able to use VoIP apps like WhatsApp or Viber for calling if your SIM allows data access.
2. Google Voice or VoIP Services – Consider using Google Voice, Skype (with credit), or another VoIP service like Rebtel or Viber Out. These often offer cheaper rates for international calls compared to mobile operators.
3. Australian-Based Contacts – If you have friends or family in Australia, they can call Home Affairs on your behalf and relay the information to you. Some migration agents also offer contact services for a small fee.
4. Online Status Checks – While Home Affairs does not offer direct email support, you can track your visa application status through ImmiAccount. If your application has passed the standard processing time, you may be able to submit an online visa status enquiry.
If your visa is being processed by the Australian High Commission in London, you might also want to check their contact options here: https://uk.highcommission.gov.au/lhlh/home.html
I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further assistance.
Regards
Mark
Regards,
Mark
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