Immigration Law
Visa refusals, cancellations, ART merits review, judicial review and section 501 character matters. ezylegal connects you with an immigration lawyer at a firm on our network, with fixed fees quoted upfront through our AI intake.
In short
In Australia, most visa refusals and cancellations by the Department of Home Affairs come with a right to review, usually starting with merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the AAT, and then potentially judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court. These review deadlines are strict and often short, so acting quickly is essential. ezylegal is an AI-first technology platform, not a law firm — it connects you with a lawyer at an independent firm on the ezylegal network who practises immigration law and can confirm your review rights, meet the deadlines and represent you.
How a Immigration lawyer on the network can help
Matched to a licensed Australian law firm on the ezylegal network, with fixed fees quoted upfront.
Visa Refusal Appeals
After a refusal by the Department of Home Affairs, a lawyer at a network firm assesses your review rights and prepares your case for the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Visa Cancellations
Responding to a notice of intention to consider cancellation and challenging cancelled visas, protecting your right to remain while acting within strict, often short deadlines.
ART Merits Review
Merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaced the AAT, where a network firm's lawyer re-argues the facts and law seeking a fresh decision.
Judicial Review
Judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or the Federal Court, where a tribunal or departmental decision involved jurisdictional or legal error.
Section 501 Character
Character refusals and cancellations under section 501 of the Migration Act, including revocation requests and detailed submissions on these serious, time-critical decisions.
Sponsorship & Ministerial Intervention
Sponsorship and nomination refusals for employers and sponsored workers, plus ministerial intervention requests where review rights at the tribunal have been exhausted.
Technology from ezylegal. Legal work from a law firm on the network.
ezylegal is an AI-powered legal-technology platform — not a law firm. When you start a immigration law matter, our AI intake assistant captures the details and matches you to a licensed Australian law firm on the ezylegal network that practises immigration law. That firm gives the advice, does the legal work, and quotes you a fixed fee upfront.
After a visa refusal or cancellation
A refusal or cancellation from the Department of Home Affairs is not always the end of the road. Most decisions come with review rights, but those rights are governed by strict — and sometimes very short — deadlines that generally cannot be extended. Missing one can close off your options entirely, so the first step is to have a lawyer confirm your deadline and your pathway straight away. Whether your matter is a refused skilled, partner, student or sponsorship application, a cancelled visa, or a character decision, the notice you received sets out only limited information about why and what happens next.
Merits review, judicial review and character decisions
Most immigration appeals begin as merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in late 2024. At merits review the tribunal looks at your case afresh and can substitute a new decision. If the tribunal affirms the refusal or cancellation, the next stage is usually judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) or the Federal Court — which does not re-weigh the merits but asks whether the decision involved a jurisdictional or legal error. Character refusals and cancellations under section 501 of the Migration Act sit alongside these and are especially serious, often involving detention and tight timeframes for revocation requests. Where review rights are exhausted, a request for ministerial intervention may remain, though it is discretionary and granted only rarely.
How ezylegal connects you with an immigration lawyer
ezylegal is an AI-first technology platform, not a law firm. Our AI intake — Rachel — asks about your refusal, cancellation or review, works out what your matter involves, and connects you with a lawyer at an independent firm on the ezylegal network who practises immigration law. That network firm advises you, prepares your case and represents you at the ART, the courts or in a ministerial submission. ezylegal does not give legal or migration advice and does not represent you. Where a matter fits a defined scope, fixed fees are quoted through our platform up front, so you can decide with the cost clear before you commit. Government charges payable to Home Affairs are separate.
Frequently asked questions
My visa was refused — can I appeal? +
Many visa refusals can be reviewed on their merits, usually at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the AAT. Whether you have review rights depends on the visa and how the decision was made. ezylegal is a technology platform, not a law firm — through our AI intake we connect you with a lawyer at a firm on the ezylegal network who can confirm your options and act for you.
What is the ART, and did it replace the AAT? +
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) commenced in late 2024 and replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for migration and most other merits review. If you are searching for an 'AAT appeal', that review now happens at the ART. A lawyer at a firm on the ezylegal network can prepare and run your ART application.
How long do I have to lodge an appeal or review? +
Appeal and review deadlines under the Migration Act are strict, and for some decisions they are very short and cannot be extended. The exact period depends on the decision type and how you were notified, so you should not delay. Speak to a lawyer at a firm on the ezylegal network immediately so your deadline is confirmed and protected.
What's the difference between merits review and judicial review? +
Merits review asks a tribunal like the ART to look at your case afresh and decide whether the correct decision was made on the facts and law. Judicial review, in the Federal Circuit and Family Court or the Federal Court, does not re-decide the merits — it examines whether the decision involved a legal or jurisdictional error. A network firm's lawyer can advise which path fits.
Can a lawyer help if my visa was cancelled on character grounds (section 501)? +
Character refusals and cancellations under section 501 are complex and time-critical, and detention can be involved. A lawyer at a firm on the ezylegal network who practises immigration law can review the notice, advise on revocation requests or review options, and act within the applicable deadlines. ezylegal itself does not provide this advice or representation.
What is ministerial intervention? +
Ministerial intervention is a discretionary, last-resort option where the Minister may substitute a more favourable decision after tribunal review rights are exhausted. It is not an appeal and is granted only in limited circumstances. A lawyer at a firm on the ezylegal network can assess whether a request is realistic and prepare the submission.
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Tell us what's going on. Our AI assistant takes your details in minutes, and a lawyer at a law firm on the ezylegal network follows up with fixed-fee options.
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