Change in ART Fees from 1 July 2026

Crownmark Lawyers | Immigration Law Division

If your Australian visa has been refused or cancelled, the next step is often time-sensitive. From 1 July 2026, application fees for the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) have increased, meaning applicants should now expect higher costs when applying for a review of certain immigration decisions.

An ART review is not the same as lodging a new visa application. It is a process where the Tribunal reviews a decision made by the Department of Home Affairs. This may include decisions relating to visa refusals, visa cancellations and other reviewable immigration matters.

The most important thing to remember is that strict deadlines usually apply. The deadline for review is generally stated in the decision letter. If that deadline is missed, an applicant may lose the right to have the decision reviewed.

Because of this, applicants should check the review deadline, the correct review pathway and the current ART fee as soon as they receive a decision.

Key ART fees from 1 July 2026

ART review type	Previous fee	Fee from 1 July 2026
Review of most migration decisions	$3,580	$3,727
Review of a protection decision	$2,203	$2,293
Standard ART application fee	$1,148	$1,195
Guidance and Appeals Panel referral	$1,148	$1,195

The increase in fees means that cost is now an even more important factor when deciding whether to apply for review. However, cost should not be the only consideration. The strength of the case, the reason for refusal or cancellation, the available evidence and the deadline all need to be considered carefully.

In some cases, a fee reduction may be available on financial hardship grounds. This should not be assumed automatically. Applicants may need to provide evidence to support a request for a reduced fee.

For protection matters, the fee usually works differently. In general, the protection review fee is payable only if the review is unsuccessful. Applicants should still check the exact requirements before lodging, as each matter depends on the type of decision and the review pathway.

It is also important to understand that paying the ART fee does not guarantee a successful outcome. The Tribunal will consider the law, the facts of the case and the evidence provided. A review application should therefore be prepared carefully, especially if the original refusal involved missing documents, eligibility concerns, character issues, relationship evidence, Genuine Temporary Entrant or Genuine Student concerns, sponsorship issues or other complex matters.

If you have received a visa refusal or cancellation decision, read the decision letter immediately. Check the review deadline first, then confirm whether the decision can be reviewed by the ART, what fee applies and what evidence may be needed to support the case.

Received a visa refusal or cancellation decision?

Crownmark Lawyers acts for visa applicants and employers across Australia in

immigration matters, on a fixed fee with the principal handling each file. Whether you

are just starting your immigration journey or looking for guidance on your next step, reach out to our team today!

Nina Menon

Lawyer

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Email: info@crownmarklaw.com.au

This article is general information about Australian immigration law and is current as at June 2026. It is not legal advice and does not take account of your particular circumstances. For advice on your situation, please contact us or another qualified immigration practitioner.