The Tribunals at a glance
The Migration Review Tribunal (the MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (the RRT) provide final independent merits reviews of visa-related decisions made by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship or by officers of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, acting as delegates of the Minister.
A visa is required by anyone who is not an Australian citizen and who wishes to travel to, or remain lawfully in, Australia.
The Tribunals are established under the Migration Act 1958. The Tribunals' jurisdictions, powers and procedures are set out in the Migration Act and the Migration Regulations 1994.
The Tribunals are required to deliver a mechanism of review that is fair, just, economical, informal and quick. Members and staff aim to meet government and community expectations in discharging their responsibilities.
We want to be known for:
- being highly competent Tribunals delivering fair, just and timely reviews
- our fairness and professionalism
- the quality, integrity and consistency of our decisions
- helping people understand our procedures
- listening and responding to feedback
- being courteous and respectful
- being open and accountable
- having a productive, supportive and safe workplace
- ensuring our Members and staff have an influence on our day to day operations
- meeting professional performance and ethical standards as set out in Member and staff Codes of Conduct
- our commitment to good client services as set out in our Service Charter.
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The Tribunals at a glance
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MRT
|
RRT |
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Legislation
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Migration Act 1958
Migration Regulations 1994 |
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Established
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1999
|
1993 |
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Principal Member
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Denis O'Brien
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Registrar
| John Lynch |
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Cases lodged
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6,325
|
2,284 |
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Cases decided
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5,219
|
2,318 |
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Cases on hand
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4,640
|
548 |
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% of primary decisions set aside
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50%
|
18% |
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% of primary decisions affirmed
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36%
|
72% |
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% of cases withdrawn or otherwise resolved
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14%
|
10% |
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Average time taken to decide a case
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35 weeks
|
12 weeks |
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% of decided cases where applicant represented
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68%
|
45% |
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Number of hearings held
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3,218
|
1,831 |
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% of decided cases where hearing held
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61%
|
70% |
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% of hearings where interpreter was required
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68%
|
89% |
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Number of languages and dialects
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84 |
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% of cases taken to judicial review
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5%
|
45% |
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% of cases set aside on judicial review
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37%
|
14% |
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Members (as at 30 June 2008)
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92 |
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Staff
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283 |
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Cost
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$37.8m |
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