Refusals and review
Articles in this topic, newest first.
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Three Ways the Tribunal Got It Wrong in October, and How to Spot Each One in Your Decision
NKHH, AVG26 and Hassan: three decisions from October 2026 where the Tribunal reasoned unlawfully. The sentence to look for in each, and what a $3,727 review fee buys.
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Cancelled at the Border: What Happened to Zhang, and What to Do in the First Hour
A student visa was cancelled at Sydney Airport over $8,471.95 of undeclared goods. The Court quashed it because the notice was taken back. What to do if it happens to you.
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Low Risk, Still Refused: The Rehabilitation File Missing in Li [2026] ARTA 2012
In Li [2026] ARTA 2012 the Tribunal accepted a low risk of reoffending and still refused revocation. 28 days to request, 9 days to review, $1,195 fee.
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Three Reasons to Return, One Assumption About Marriage: Why the Court Quashed a Student Visa Refusal
In Farizal (September 2026) the Tribunal assumed a wife would not go home without her husband. The Court quashed it. Test your refusal within 35 days.
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No Letter, Then a Refusal: The 35-Day Clock When the Tribunal Breaks Its Own Promise
A Tribunal member said she would write. The refusal came instead. In Harpreet (September 2026) the Court set it aside. You have 35 days to file for review.
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The Officer Works for the Department: What to Settle Before an Immigration Status Resolution Meeting
Who the Immigration Status Resolution Service meets, what its officers can and cannot do, how SRSS and RRAP differ, and what to settle before you book in 2026.
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Day 22 of an Expired Visa: The 28-Day Line and the Compliance Routine Burke Restarted
Visa expired in Australia? Home Affairs ties a re-entry ban to 28 days, the Bridging visa E has no fee, and 100 more compliance officers arrive in 2026.
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Character Decision Before or After 31 October? Direction 123 Changes the Maths
Ministerial Direction 123 replaces Direction 110 on 31 October 2026. Ties to Australia drop a tier, business impact goes, and the risk test falls to might.
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Your File Went to VACCU: What the Silence Means and What to Send Before They Ask
VACCU referral in 2026: what the character unit checks, why files go quiet for months, and the documents to send before the natural justice letter arrives.
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The Tick Box That Ends More Partner Visas Than the Conviction Behind It
A conviction rarely refuses a partner visa; a wrong answer about it can. The 12 month line, the Form 1023 fix, Direction 110 and the $11,710 charge in 2026.
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A Natural Justice Letter Citing PIC 4020: The Deadline That Decides Your Partner Visa
PIC 4020 and partner visas in 2026: triggers, the three and ten year exclusion periods, answering a natural justice letter, and the $3,727 review fee.
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Ministerial intervention: when the Minister can step in, and when they will not
Ministerial intervention in 2026: no fee, no duty to consider, a Tribunal decision first, and the guideline thresholds a request must meet. ART is $3,727.
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![Low Risk, Still Refused: The Rehabilitation File Missing in Li [2026] ARTA 2012](https://themigrationlawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-12-low-risk-still-refused-li-arta-2012-rehabilitation-evidence-featured-800x500.jpg)
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