DIBP Beirut Tips for attaching documents to an online application 2017 | 1
Attach documents to an online application
This information offers you guidance in attaching documents to your online application.
Before you start attaching files to your application, it is important that you read the information below and in
particular are aware that:
There is a limit to the type, size and number of files you can attach to each application type as
outlined below. Upload any required or critical documents first and then any other recommended
documents you want to provide.
You will not be able to remove a file that has been attached to an application after lodgement, so
make sure you attach the correct file. We also cannot delete attachments as they form part of your
application so please do not contact us about deleting attachments.
If you have reached your limit and have more documents to attach, you will need to wait until your
application has been allocated to a case officer and they advise you of specific additional information
that you need to provide and where to send this information.
If you attach low quality scanned documents, it might slow down the processing of your application
Documents you need to attach
Check the relevant document checklist for the list of documents required for any visa, sponsorship,
nomination or citizenship application.
You do not need to attach documents for 'My Health Declarations'.
Visa applications
You can attach documents to your visa application after you have submitted and paid for your application,
up until it is finalised.
For some visa application types (Visitor and Temporary Work Short Stay Specialist) you will be required to
attach documents before you proceed to pay and submit your application.
Note: If you need to attach documents, make sure you do so before. or as soon as possible after submitting
your application to ensure your application can be processed as quickly as possible. Some applications may
be refused if you have not attached documents at time of lodgement.
Citizenship applications
You will be required to attach documents to your citizenship application before you proceed to pay and
submit your application.
DIBP Beirut Tips for attaching documents to an online application 2017 | 2
If you have already submitted your application, and are required to attach additional documents, you will
need to go back into your application to attach your documents.
Number of documents that can be attached
The following table details the maximum number of files you are able to attach to each online application.
Application type
Maximum number
of files
Business Innovation and Investment (132, 188, 888)
0
See the relevant visa subclass page for information on
where to send the documents
Citizenship by Descent
20 per applicant
eVisitor (651)
60
Maritime Crew (988)
0
Partner (300, 309/100, 820/801)
60 per applicant
Resident Return (155/157)
60
Student (570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575)
60
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (400)
60 per applicant
Temporary Work (International Relations) (403)
60
Temporary Activity (subclass 408)
60
Visitor (600)
60
Type of files that can be attached and tips for reducing the file size
Visa applications
We are able to accept the following file formats up to 5MB in size.
Extension
File type
Tip to reduce file size
.BMP
Bitmap image file
Use a freeware graphics program to convert .BMP files to .JPG
files.
.DCM
DICOM digital x-ray image
.DOC
.DOCX
Microsoft Word document
Remove unnecessary images, formatting and macros. If it is
.DOC, save the file as a Word 5.0/95 version. If the file is still
too large, create a PDF document.
See Adobe Document Solutions for assistance.
.DOT
Microsoft Word 2003 template
Remove unnecessary images and macros. If template
functionality is not necessary, save the file as a .DOC or .RTF
file.
DIBP Beirut Tips for attaching documents to an online application 2017 | 3
Extension
File type
Tip to reduce file size
.GIF
Graphics Interchange Format
image or graphics file
Reduce the file size of a .GIF image by setting the resolution to
96 DPI (dots per inch).
.JPG
JPEG image file
Reduce the file size of a .JPG image by setting the resolution to
96 DPI (dots per inch).
.PDF
Adobe Acrobat Portable
Document Format file
Reduce the file size of a .PDF document by:
Recreating the PDF with Distiller set to 'lowest file size'.
Ensuring that all images in the PDF are set to 96 DPI.
.PNG
PNG image file
.PPT
.PPTX
Microsoft PowerPoint
presentation document
Save the file as a RTF or DOC file or create a PDF document.
See Adobe Document Solutions for assistance.
.RTF
Rich Text Format document
Remove any unnecessary graphics, links or formatting.
.TXT
Text file
If a bare text file is over 500KB, it will be physically too long to
be useful. Consider splitting the document into more useful
parts or removing unnecessary data.
.XLS
.XLSX
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
If it is .XLS file, remove unnecessary images and macros. Save
the file as an Excel 5.0/95 version.
Citizenship applications
We are able to accept the following file formats up to 5MB in size.
Extension
File type
Tip to reduce file size
.JPG
.JPEG
.JPE
JPEG image file
Reduce the file size of a .JPG image by setting the resolution to 96
DPI (dots per inch).
.BMP
Bitmap image file
Use a freeware graphics program to convert .BMP files to .JPG files.
.GIF
Graphics Interchange Format
image or graphics file
Reduce the file size of a .GIF image by setting the resolution to 96
DPI (dots per inch).
.PDF
Adobe Acrobat Portable
Document Format file
Reduce the file size of a .PDF document by:
Recreating the PDF with Distiller set to 'lowest file size'.
Ensuring that all images in the PDF are set to 96 DPI.
Note: Encrypted .pdf files cannot be accepted. You must
save your scanned file in a different file format before
attaching.
.PNG
PNG image file
Note: If you attach documents after submitting your citizenship application we can only accept scanned
documents in the following file formats no larger than 500KB.
DIBP Beirut Tips for attaching documents to an online application 2017 | 4
Extension
File type
Tip to reduce file size
.JPG
.JPEG
.JPE
JPEG image
file
Reduce the file size of a .JPG image by setting the resolution to 96 DPI (dots per
inch).
File naming tips
When naming your files to be attached to an online application only use numbers 0–9 and letters A–Z (upper
and lower case), dashes '–' and underscores '_'.
You must avoid using spaces ' ', periods '.', ampersand '&', hash '#', star '*', exclamation marks '!', quotations
'' "" and any other character that is not a letter, a number, a dash or an underscore.
Compressed files
We do not accept files that have been compressed. A compressed file is a container for documents,
programs or other files that have been packaged together and reduced in size.
A common example is files compressed using WinZip® with a '.zip' file extension. If the document you are
attempting to attach is too large we recommend that you create a PDF document.
See Adobe Document Solutions for assistance.
Help
The following quick reference guides provide assistance on attaching documents to an application in
ImmiAccount:
Attach documents to a visa application (303KB PDF)
Attach documents to a citizenship application (667KB PDF)
