Australian Consulate-General
Noumea
New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna

Home Affairs - Immigration (visas) Citizenship and Border Protection

 

Outside of consular, passport and notarial services, which are provided by the Australian Consulate-General, we are unable to provide further information than is outlined below.

Please also note the Australian Consulate-General does not manage enquiries relating to visas or entry-exit requirements to Australia, New Caledonia or Wallis-and-Futuna, or Canada and we are unable to escalate applications or issues with the authorities in Australia, New Caledonia or Wallis-and-Futuna, or Canada.

Canadian nationals are invited to check the Canadian travel advice for Australia at Travel advice and advisories for Australia and to follow Canadian recommendations.

French nationals are invited to check the French travel advice for Australia at Australie - Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (diplomatie.gouv.fr) and to follow French recommendations (Ce que le consulat peut faire pour vous - Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (diplomatie.gouv.fr)).

Other nationals are invited to check the travel advice for Australia of their country of nationality or to contact their foreign consular representation in Australia and to follow their country's recommendations.

Please read carefully all the information provided below and contact relevant authorities directly.

 

Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The Department of Home Affairs does not have an office at the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea.

The Australian Consulate-General in Noumea is unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.

Please check all the Home Affairs information and advice provided below as appropriate to your circumstances and contact Home Affairs directly for further assistance as required:

 

Latest Home Affairs news and recommendations


For the latest immigration and citizenship news, see News archive.

Home Affairs advises Australian citizens should depart from and return to Australia on an Australian passport and should not apply for visas to Australia on their foreign passports. Home Affairs further advises Australian citizens seeking to enter Australia on another country's passport may experience difficulties and delays while their identity and citizenship is confirmed by Home Affairs.

Home Affairs information for permanent residents of Australia - Permanent resident (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Foreign travellers - Home Affairs recommends foreign travellers hold a passport valid for at least six (6) months and to enter Australia on a visa appropriate to their circumstances.

Home Affairs advises you should not book flights or make travel commitments until you have an appropriate visa to travel to Australia. Home Affairs further advises it will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application was finalised later than expected or where an application is unsuccessful.

Home Affairs advises it is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Australia does not require you to undertake any pre-departure COVID-19 testing to enter, leave or transit Australia. However, some states and territories may require you to take a COVID-19 test soon after arrival.

Check the below links regularly as regulations and procedures can be subject to change at short notice. 

 

Home Affairs Enquiries, Contacting the Home Affairs Global Service Centre, Using an Interpreter, Registered Migration Agents


The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.

If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the Immigration and citizenship website, and click the Ask a question button to get started.

Home Affairs Global Service Centre

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196 (outside Australia) or on 131 881 ​​(in Australia), 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 Home Affairs 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:

Other Home Affairs links

 

Australian citizenship


You can apply online for Australian citizenship through ImmiAccount. For further information, please check information and application processes for Australian citizenship by descent or for Australian citizenship for children adopted outside Australia.

If you require further proof of your Australian citizenship, you will need to apply online with Home Affairs for an Evidence of citizenship (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Once you have been granted Australian citizenship by Home Affairs, you will need to apply for an Australian passport.

Home Affairs advises Australian citizens should depart from and return to Australia on an Australian passport and should not apply for visas to Australia on their foreign passports. Home Affairs further advises Australian citizens seeking to enter Australia on another country's passport may experience difficulties and delays while their identity and citizenship is confirmed by Home Affairs (Travelling as a dual citizen (homeaffairs.gov.au) and Dual nationals leaving and returning to Australia. Which passport should you use? | Australian Passport Office).

 

Visas to Australia including Visa-Finder


Home Affairs advises Australian citizens should depart from and return to Australia on an Australian passport and should not apply for visas to Australia on their foreign passports.

 

Biometric data collection and Health examinations

 

Biometric data collection by Home Affairs is available on the Home Affairs website at Biometrics (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Medical and health examinations required by Home Affairs for visa applications - please check Meeting Home Affairs health requirements for more information and select your country of residence to find a Home Affairs registered Panel physician.

 

English language testing

 

Information on English language proficiency tests and examination centres is available on the Home Affairs website at Meeting our requirements - English language.

Please contact the language testing centres directly for further information and assistance:

 

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

 

International travellers (including Australians) might be able to claim a GST (Goods and Services Tax) and/or WET (Wine Equalization Tax) refund for some goods bought in Australia that you can take on the plane or ship.

Further information and process available at Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS).

 

Back from Australia (proof of exit and travel records)

 

If you need a record of your specific dates of travel in and out of Australia, you may request an international movement records from the Australian Department of Home Affairs at International movement records (homeaffairs.gov.au).

If you require a certified copy of your passport as proof of exit from Australia, the consular section of the Australian Consulate-General may be able to provide you with this service.  For further information, please follow the link Notarial Services, including witnessing, certifying issuing legal documents.

 

Australian Customs and Biosecurity
 

For customs information and mandatory declarations (entering and leaving Australia by air or sea, including arrival policies, what you can bring, duty-free and tourist refund scheme), please check out the Australian Border Force (ABF) online information, including the Australian Border Force Duty free concessions (abf.gov.au) information (also available in foreign languages including in French) and Biosecurity Australia information on Travelling to Australia - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au), also available in foreign languages including in French.

Visit the Home Affairs webpages Entering Australia and Leaving Australia for the most up-to-date information.

Please also contact your airline including Aircalin or Qantas, travel agent, employer or Home Affairs directly as required for assistance. Check also with your airline including Aircalin or Qantas, or cruise line on their boarding conditions and on regulations applicable to travel by minors, including those unaccompanied.

 

Compliments, complaints and suggestions to Home Affairs including Allegations related to suspicious border activities  

 

Compliments, complaints and suggestions

Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department uses your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at Compliments, complaints and suggestions.

 

Allegations related to suspicious border activities

​​​​​​​​​​​If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime.  You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the Border Watch Online Report. 

 

The Australian Department of Home Affairs does not have an office at the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea.

The Australian Consulate-General in Noumea has no visa or other Home Affairs function and does not process visa applications or respond to visa, citizenship or other Home Affairs enquiries.