A visa refusal or cancellation is stressful, and the clock starts straight away. Most applications to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) must be made within 28 days of being notified of the decision — sooner in some cases — and the deadline generally can't be extended.
We review the decision, tell you honestly whether a review is worth pursuing, and represent you at the Tribunal. If the Tribunal makes a legal error, our lawyers can take the matter to court.
How we help
- Urgent review of refusal and cancellation decisions
- Applications to the Administrative Review Tribunal
- Submissions, evidence and representation at hearings
- Responding to a notice of intention to cancel
- Judicial review in the federal courts
- Requests for Ministerial intervention
Good to know
- Check your deadline today
- Your decision letter states whether you can apply for review and by when. For most migration decisions it's 28 days — less if you're in immigration detention or the decision is about character — and late applications generally can't be accepted.
- The ART replaced the AAT
- On 14 October 2024 the Administrative Review Tribunal replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Guides that still refer to the AAT, or to its deadlines, may be out of date.
- Not every decision can be reviewed
- Some decisions, including many made on applications lodged outside Australia, can't be reviewed by the Tribunal. The options may then be a new application or, where there's a legal error, the courts.
- Judicial review
- If the Tribunal makes a legal error, you can apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court within 35 days of its decision. The court reviews whether the decision was lawful, not whether it was right on the merits.
General information current at October 2026, not legal advice. Laws, thresholds and fees change — get advice on your circumstances.
Questions
How long do I have to appeal a visa refusal?
For most migration decisions, 28 days from when you're notified — shorter if you're in immigration detention or for character decisions. Your decision letter states the deadline. Contact us as soon as you receive it.
Can I stay in Australia during the review?
Usually, if you applied in Australia and hold a bridging visa linked to that application, it continues while the Tribunal reviews the decision. Check your visa's conditions and expiry with us.
What does an ART appeal cost?
The Tribunal charges an application fee, which can be reduced for financial hardship, plus our professional fees, which we quote before we start.
What if the Tribunal agrees with the refusal?
The options can include judicial review if there's a legal error, a request for Ministerial intervention in limited cases, or a new application if you're eligible. We'll tell you which is realistic.