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AustraliaApplication Process

Reviews of Australian student visa refusals are now decided on the papers

Status: In effect

Since 1 June 2026, most applications to the Administrative Review Tribunal to review a student visa refusal are 'applications to be reviewed on the papers' — decided on written material. The Tribunal must invite written submissions on whether the applicant is enrolled in a course, with 28 days to respond.

What changed

  • An application to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for review of a decision to refuse a student visa is prescribed as an 'application to be reviewed on the papers'.
  • For applicants who sought to meet the primary criteria, the Tribunal must invite written submissions and evidence on whether the applicant is enrolled in a course of study.
  • Where the Tribunal issues an invitation under section 367F(1) of the Migration Act, the response period is 28 days after the applicant is notified; for an invitation under section 367G(1), it is 14 days.

Key dates

Officially announced
In effect from

Who may be affected

  • Applications for review made on or after 1 June 2026.
  • Applications made before 1 June 2026 where the Tribunal had not yet been constituted to hear the matter by that date.
  • Not covered by the on-the-papers process: refusals involving certain public interest criteria (including 4001, 4003B, 4007, 4010, 4013, 4014, 4017, 4018 and 4020) or a special return criterion.

Key takeaways

  • A written response, with evidence, now carries most of the weight in a student visa review.
  • Evidence that you are enrolled in a course is specifically in issue.
  • Tribunal response periods are short — 28 or 14 days from notification.

What students should do

  1. If your visa is refused, check the review deadline in your decision letter straight away.
  2. Respond to any Tribunal invitation within the stated period and include current evidence of enrolment.
  3. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or lawyer about a review. MATES can help you gather documents but cannot influence a Tribunal decision.

Official sources

Read the Official Update(opens Federal Register of Legislation (Australian Government) in a new tab — you are leaving the MATES website)

Opens the government website in a new tab. You will be leaving the MATES website.

Before you act on this

Visa and immigration requirements can change. Review the linked official government source and confirm the latest requirements with MATES before making an application decision.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. MATES cannot influence a government decision.

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