Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) Fees

The applicable fee depends on the type of decision being reviewed.

For most reviewable migration decisions under Part 5 of the Migration Act 1958, the current ART review fee is:

AUD $3,727

This fee applies to application fees paid on or after 1 July 2026.

ART Migration Review Fee

For most reviewable migration decisions, the ART currently charges:

Migration review fee: AUD $3,727

This generally applies to reviewable migration decisions made under Part 5 of the Migration Act 1958.

There are exceptions, so you should check the type of decision you received before assuming that the $3,727 fee applies. For example, the ART states that the standard fee applies to character-related visa refusals or cancellations.

ART Fee Reduction for Financial Hardship

If paying the full ART migration review fee would cause financial hardship, you may request a 50% reduction.

For a $3,727 migration review fee, 50% is:

AUD $1,863.50

You must ensure that at least 50% of the prescribed fee has been paid and that the fee-reduction request is made within the applicable review period. Supporting financial documents may be required.

Evidence may include:

• Current payslips
• Centrelink payment statements
• Evidence of other income
• Rent, mortgage and utility expenses
• Bank and credit-card statements
• Evidence of liabilities and assets
• Evidence that another organisation has reduced or waived a relevant fee

The ART considers the household's financial circumstances, including income, expenses, liabilities, assets and capacity to pay.

Protection Visa ART Review Fee

Protection visa reviews have different fee arrangements.

You generally do not pay a fee when lodging a review of:

• A decision to refuse a protection visa
• A decision to cancel a protection visa
• Certain decisions under section 197D of the Migration Act

If the protection review is unsuccessful, the current fee is:

AUD $2,293

The fee is generally payable within 7 days after the ART issues the relevant invoice. Certain circumstances can mean no fee is payable.

Standard ART Application Fee

For review types where the migration-specific fee does not apply, the current standard ART application fee is:

AUD $1,195

A concessional fee of AUD $100 may apply in specified circumstances.

Character-Related Visa Decisions

Character-related visa refusals and cancellations require particular attention.

The ART states that the $3,727 migration fee does not apply to character-related visa refusals or cancellations covered by the relevant exception. The standard ART application fee may instead apply.

The decision notification should therefore be checked carefully before lodging the review.

Are All ART Reviews $3,727?

No.

The applicable fee depends on the type of decision.

These amounts reflect the ART's current fee information following the 1 July 2026 fee increase.

When Do You Need to Pay the ART Fee?

For most migration reviews, the fee must be paid before the deadline for applying for review.

This is particularly important because ART migration review time limits are strict.

The ART states that it does not have power to extend the time limit for applying for review of a migration decision.

Therefore, do not delay your review application while assuming that you can resolve the fee issue later.

What If You Cannot Afford the Full Fee?

If paying the full migration review fee would cause financial hardship, you can request a 50% reduction.

You should:

1. Check your review deadline.
2. Pay at least 50% of the prescribed fee.
3. Complete the ART fee-reduction request.
4. Provide supporting financial evidence.
5. Submit the request within the applicable timeframe.

If the ART does not approve the reduction, the remaining amount of the prescribed fee must be paid for the review to proceed.

Can ART Fees Be Refunded?

In certain circumstances, yes.

For migration reviews, the ART states that a refund may be available where:

• The application is found to be invalid.
• You paid the full fee and are subsequently approved for the reduced fee.
• The decision is set aside or varied.
• The application is remitted to the Department of Home Affairs.

If you withdraw a review application, a refund is generally available only in limited circumstances.

ART Fees and the Old AAT Fees

Many people still search for information about AAT fees because the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal was responsible for migration reviews before the ART commenced.

The terminology has now changed:

ART Fees Can Change

ART fees are subject to change.

The ART states that application fees increase annually under the applicable legislation and regulations, with annual increases reflecting changes in the Consumer Price Index.

For this reason, applicants should confirm the current fee before lodging an ART review.

ART Fee and Review Deadline Are Separate Issues

Paying the ART fee does not automatically mean that a review application is valid.

You should first establish:

• Whether the decision is reviewable
• Who has the right to apply
• The applicable review deadline
• The correct ART application type
• The correct fee
• Whether a fee reduction is available
• What supporting documents are required

The ART specifically states that migration review deadlines are strict and cannot be extended by the Tribunal.

How The Visa Can Help

At The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd, we can assist with Australian visa refusal and Administrative Review Tribunal matters.

Our assistance may include:

• Reviewing your Department of Home Affairs decision
• Checking whether ART review is available
• Identifying the review deadline
• Explaining the applicable ART fee
• Assessing whether a financial-hardship fee reduction may be relevant
• Reviewing supporting evidence
• Preparing written submissions
• Assisting with ART review procedures
• Preparing documentation for the review

Received a Visa Refusal?

If your decision gives you a right to apply for ART review, act promptly.

The review deadline can be strict, and the applicable fee must generally be addressed before the deadline.

Registered Migration Agent: Navneet Kaur (MARN 2318181)

Contact The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd for professional assistance with your ART review and migration matter.

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute personalised migration or legal advice. ART fees, review rights, deadlines and procedures can change. Always check your Department of Home Affairs decision notification and the current Administrative Review Tribunal requirements before lodging a review.