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Appeals & Reviews

Support after a visa refusal or cancellation, where strict time limits apply.

Act quickly after a refusal

If your visa is refused or cancelled, you may be able to seek merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024.

Review rights and deadlines are set out in your decision letter. Deadlines are strict and often short, and a late application usually can't be accepted. Contact us as soon as you receive a decision.

How we help

Practical support at each stage, handled by a registered migration agent.

  • Assess the decision and your review rights
  • Confirm the deadline to apply for review
  • Lodge the review application
  • Prepare written submissions and evidence
  • Prepare you for the Tribunal hearing
  • Represent you as your registered agent
  • Respond to notices of intention to cancel
  • Advise on other options after a decision

Pathways we assist with

A summary only. Each has detailed criteria, and settings change, so we confirm current requirements when we advise you.

ART

Merits review

Review of many refusal and cancellation decisions by the Administrative Review Tribunal.

NOICC

Notice of intention to cancel

Responding within the time allowed to a proposal to cancel your visa.

Refusals

Sponsor and nomination

Review of eligible sponsorship and nomination refusals for businesses.

Section 501

Character matters

Advice on character concerns; complex cases may need a lawyer.

Limited

Ministerial intervention

Requests to the Minister in limited cases, under current guidelines.

Referral

Judicial review

Courts review legal errors only; we refer these matters to lawyers.

Send us straight away

We'll give you a checklist tailored to you. These are the documents most often involved.

  • The full decision record
  • The date you received the decision
  • A copy of your original application
  • All correspondence with the Department
  • Any new evidence you hold
  • Details of your current bridging visa
Only send certified or original documents when we ask for them. Keep copies of everything you provide.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to apply for review?

It depends on the decision and whether you are in immigration detention. The exact timeframe is stated in your decision letter. Don't wait. Contact us the day you receive it.

Can I stay in Australia during the review?

If you lodge a valid review application in time and hold a bridging visa, you may be able to remain lawfully while the review is decided. Conditions vary, so ask us about your situation.

Can you guarantee the Tribunal will overturn the decision?

No. The Tribunal decides each case on the law and the evidence. We'll give you a candid view of the prospects before you proceed.

General information only. This page is not advice about your circumstances. Decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs or the relevant review body, and no outcome can be guaranteed. Government charges and third-party costs are separate from our professional fees.

Other services

Talk it through with a registered agent

Book a consultation to get advice on your circumstances, the options open to you, and a written fee estimate before any work begins.