Australian visa refusal
A refusal is not always the end of the road, but what you can do next depends on the visa, where you applied and the reason for refusal. Deadlines are short, so get advice as soon as the decision arrives.
Your options
- Apply for review: many refusals can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Your decision letter states whether you have review rights and the deadline
- Apply again: where the problem was missing evidence or a fixable issue, a new and stronger application can be the better route
- Judicial review: a court can only look at legal error in the decision, not the merits
- Ministerial intervention: available only in limited, exceptional cases, usually after a Tribunal decision
If you were refused in Australia
- You may be limited in which further visas you can apply for while you remain in Australia (the section 48 bar)
- Your bridging visa and its conditions change after a refusal, so check your status and your work rights
- Staying past your bridging visa makes you unlawful and can lead to an exclusion period
Common reasons for refusal
- Not meeting a visa criterion, or not providing enough evidence
- Doubts about whether you are a genuine applicant
- Incorrect or misleading information or documents, which can also bring a bar on future applications
- Health or character requirements
We handle refusals, cancellations and Tribunal reviews. Book a consultation and bring your decision letter.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not advice. Ask us about your situation.