---
title: "Form 956: appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (completion guide)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/immigration-and-migration-law/form-956-appointment"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a30-form-956-appointment"
area_id: "A30"
kind: "form"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-17"
---

# Form 956: appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (completion guide)

> Link to the Department of Home Affairs' current Form 956, with a guide to who may use it, one form per matter, authorised recipient choices, ending an appointment, and the separate Tribunal notifications.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/immigration-and-migration-law/form-956-appointment  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-17

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Form. A form to complete, or a guide to completing an official one.
- Practice area: [Immigration & Migration Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/immigration-and-migration-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: Australia
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-17
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-17 against the official form at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and the 4 authorities it cites, for Australia.

## When to use it

Use when a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or exempt person is appointed to give immigration assistance on a Department matter, or when that appointment ends. Use Form 956A instead if the person is appointed only to receive documents.

## How AI may be used

AI may pre-fill Form 956 from verified client records, after the client's written consent to that use. The current departmental version must be used, and the client must check and sign it.

**AI may:**

- Pre-fill names, dates of birth and client numbers from verified identity documents for checking
- Check that every applicant on the matter is listed consistently with the visa application
- Draft the covering email or ImmiAccount note

**AI must not:**

- Must not be used with client identity documents unless the client has given written consent to AI use (OMARA guidance)
- Must not choose the authorised recipient option without instructions
- Must not submit or sign the form

**The lawyer checks:**

- The current form version from the Department's website is used
- The adviser is a registered migration agent, an Australian legal practitioner or an exempt person
- Authorised recipient choice reflects the client's instructions
- Separate notification to the ART is made for any review (MR1 for agents; MR5 or the character-review authority form)

## Authorities

- [Migration Act 1958 (Cth) s 276 (meaning of immigration assistance)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C1958A00062/latest/text)
- [Migration Act 1958 (Cth) s 280 (restrictions on giving immigration assistance)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C1958A00062/latest/text)
- [Migration Act 1958 (Cth) ss 312A and 312B (registered migration agents to notify the Department and the ART)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C1958A00062/latest/text)
- [Department of Home Affairs, Form 956](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/956.pdf)

## Official form

[Official form](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/956.pdf)

## Where this comes from

The official form is published by immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; this page is a completion guide. Last checked on 2026-10-17.

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/immigration-and-migration-law/form-956-appointment and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*