Department of Home Affairs Edition Design date 10/20 2 pages

Form 1281 — Australian Values Statement

The Department of Home Affairs statement in which a visa applicant, and each person aged 18 or over in the application, confirms they understand Australian values and will obey the laws of Australia.

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Form 1281 — Australian values statement · Australian values statement
The official Department of Home Affairs form, edition Design date 10/20 — blank
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Form 1281 — Australian values statement (2020) Australian values statement — page 1 of 2
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Form 1281 — Australian values statement (2020) Australian values statement — page 2 of 2
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from Department of Home Affairs

What is Form 1281 — Australian values statement?

The Australian Government encourages people to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life before applying for a visa to live in Australia. Form 1281, the Australian values statement, is where you confirm that you have read, or had explained to you, the Government's information on Australian society and values — respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, speech and association, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equality of opportunity and a 'fair go' for all, and English as the national language.

By signing it you undertake to conduct yourself in accordance with those values during your stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia, and to make reasonable efforts to learn English if it is not your native language. The main applicant and each person aged 18 or over who is included in the visa application sign it, unless they have already signed the statement on the visa application form. The Life in Australia booklet explains the values and is available in a wide range of languages.

FileIt prints each signer's name and the date into the Department's own PDF — names like Wiśniewska-O'Brien printed correctly — and saves the finished statement to your vault. You sign it and give it to the Department yourself; FileIt never submits anything.

Who signs it
The main visa applicant and each person aged 18 or over included in the application
Unless
They already signed the statement on the visa application form
Given to
The Department of Home Affairs, with the visa application
Room for
Four signers on the one form
Background reading
The Life in Australia booklet
Edition
Design date 10/20

Who needs to fill out Form 1281 — Australian values statement?

  • Visa applicants who are asked for the Australian values statement and haven't signed it on their visa application form.
  • Partners and other family members aged 18 or over who are included in the same visa application.
  • Anyone the Department of Home Affairs has asked to provide a signed form 1281.

When to use Form 1281 — Australian values statement

  • With a visa application that needs the Australian values statement, when it isn't already signed on the application form itself.
  • When the Department asks you or a family member aged 18 or over to provide it.
  • If anyone has concerns about signing the statement, the form says to talk to your visa case officer.

What you need before you start

  • The full name of each person signing.
  • A chance to read the Life in Australia booklet, or have its content explained to you (for example by a friend or relative) if you have difficulty reading it.
  • Each signer present to sign their own block and date it.

What’s on Form 1281 — Australian values statement

The 2020 edition has 2 pages. FileIt asks for it in 4 parts, and it is signed by Main applicant:

  1. Main applicantMain applicant
  2. Other person aged 18 or over — 1Other applicant aged 18 or over
  3. Other person aged 18 or over — 2Other applicant aged 18 or over
  4. Other person aged 18 or over — 3Other applicant aged 18 or over

How to fill out Form 1281 — Australian values statement, step by step

1 Read the information on Australian values

Page 1 explains the shared values of Australian society and points you to the Life in Australia booklet. You're encouraged to read the booklet, or have it explained to you, before signing.

2 The statement (page 2)

The statement confirms you have read or had explained the Government's information on Australian society and values, lists those values, and records your undertakings: to conduct yourself in accordance with them and obey the laws of Australia, to make reasonable efforts to learn English if it's not your native language, and your understanding that you will need to pledge loyalty to Australia if you later become a citizen.

3 Signature blocks

There are four blocks, each with a signature, the date and the signer's name. The main applicant uses the first; each other person aged 18 or over in the application uses one of the others.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving out a family member aged 18 or over who is included in the application and hasn't signed the statement on the application form.
  • Signing without having read, or had explained, the information on Australian values — the statement confirms that you have.
  • Forgetting to print the signer's name under each signature.

After you fill it out

The main applicant signs the first block, by hand or with FileIt's optional e-signature. Every other signer signs their own block by hand.

Give the signed statement to the Department of Home Affairs with the visa application, or as the Department asks.

Keep a copy. FileIt keeps the completed PDF in your vault with your other visa documents.

Fill out Form 1281 — Australian values statement online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 8 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Department of Home Affairs form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form 1281 — Australian values statement now — it’s free

Form 1281 — Australian values statement: frequently asked questions

What is Form 1281?

It's the Department of Home Affairs' Australian values statement. Visa applicants sign it to confirm they have read or had explained information on Australian society and values, and that they will respect those values and obey the laws of Australia.

Who has to sign the Australian values statement?

The main applicant and each person aged 18 years or over who is included in the visa application, unless they have already signed the statement on the visa application form.

What if I can't read the Life in Australia booklet?

The form says you may have its content explained to you, for example by a friend or relative.

What if I have concerns about signing it?

The form says that anyone with concerns about signing the statement should talk to their visa case officer.

Can I fill in Form 1281 online?

Yes. FileIt prints each signer's name and the date into the Department's official PDF, ready to sign and hand in with your application.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Department of Home Affairs or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-01.

Fill out Form 1281 — Australian values statement online