Top Reasons VACCU Delays Occur — And What You Can Do About Them

If you have received a letter from the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) indicating your visa application has been referred to the Visa Applicant Character Consideration Unit (VACCU), you are likely facing a long and anxious wait. VACCU referrals hinting at a deeper assessment into your background, and to manage your expectations and your application outcomes, let’s go through and understand why these delays happen and what you can do about them.

What is the Visa Applicant Character Consideration Unit (VACCU)?

A VACCU referral occurs when DoHA requires a more in-depth character assessment due to concerns related to an applicant’s background. This can stem from your character history, inconsistent information provided in your visa application, or other factors that suggest you might pose a risk to the Australian community. All of these are because meeting Australia’s character requirements is mandatory for most visa and citizenship applications.

Why Does VACCU Delay Visa Processing Time?

VACCU assessments are known for their lengthy processing times, which can range significantly. We have detailed the VACCU processing time in an article on “How Long Does a VACCU Assessment Take? Realistic Timeframes and Expectations”. Here are some top reasons for these delays:

Applicants with character concerns involving substantial criminal records are a primary reason for VACCU referral. Such cases require meticulous review of police records, court documents, and an assessment of the applicant’s potential risk to the Australian community.
VACCU’s role with the Department is to ensure all applicants meet Australia’s character requirements. This involves checks, which is a rigorous process that takes time for the case officer to make a decision if the visa application should be refused under section 501.
The average processing time for a VACCU assessment can vary from 1 month to 2 years, so applicants should expect a further delay in their visa processing time.

What You Can Do About VACCU Delays?

If your visa application has been referred to VACCU, taking proactive and informed steps can be beneficial:

Seek professional advice and guidance from an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law. Their expertise is invaluable in understanding the specific reasons for your VACCU referral, preparing necessary legal submissions, and strategising for potential outcomes.
If VACCU requests further information, respond within the given timeframe with clear, accurate, supported documents to avoid prolonging the process.
While you hope for approval, it is wise to plan for alternative scenarios. Your representative can help you prepare for a potential refusal and explore options like appealing to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) if eligible.

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

A VACCU referral means your visa application is under further assessment due to your character, leading to potential delays and possible refusals. Engaging with an experienced immigration lawyer at Agape Henry Crux can assist with your complex visa matter. You can schedule an appointment with Jason Ling or Angela De Silva for professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

Client Testimonials

….we call it Support Network

As navigating through the immigration law process may be difficult, our former clients have agreed to share their experiences through telephone chats, emails and meetings in person.

These are their stories…

Featured Character - Visa Grants