What should you do after a visa refusal or cancellation?
Read the decision letter immediately. It should explain whether review rights are available, who may apply and the relevant deadline. Do not assume every decision can be reviewed, and do not delay while a deadline is running.
What RightWay can help you understand
- What the decision letter says about review rights
- Whether the ART can review the type of decision
- Who is entitled to lodge the review application
- Strict filing deadlines and application requirements
- How to organise written evidence and submissions for the review
Common pathways or topics
Migration visa refusal or cancellation review
The ART can review some migration visa refusal and cancellation decisions.
Citizenship review
The ART can review some Australian citizenship refusal or cancellation decisions.
Nomination review
Some nomination refusal decisions can be reviewed.
AAT references are outdated
The Administrative Review Tribunal replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024.
Student visa review procedure changed in 2026
The ART states that from 1 June 2026 most student visa refusal reviews are decided without an oral hearing except in limited circumstances.
Time-sensitive: Review rights can expire quickly. Check the decision letter and current ART requirements immediately.
Official information reviewed for this page
Content review date: 3 October 2026