What happens after I lodge my application?
We will send you a confirmation letter explaining what will happen next.
We will also notify the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) that we have received the application.
More information about what usually happens after you lodge your application can be found in the following documents:
You can also watch our video guide.
More information about the review of specific types of decisions can be found in our fact sheets.
What if we cannot review the decision?
We will write to you and give you an opportunity to tell us why you think we can review the decision. If it appears the application is not valid, we might decide that we have no jurisdiction to review the decision.
Can the review be processed as a priority?
You can find information on priority processing requests on the Migration & Refuge Division processing times page .
Can I travel overseas during the review?
If you want to travel overseas you must contact us before making any travel arrangements to check the status of the review.
If you have questions about your ability to travel or re-enter Australia or whether travel might affect your eligibility for a visa, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs. We cannot give you advice or information about this.
Assurance of Support
If a visa application requires an Assurance of Support (AoS), you must provide evidence to us that an AoS has been lodged with Centrelink. We are not responsible for assessing an AoS.
You should tell us the outcome of the AoS assessment as soon as possible, including if your assurer has lodged an application for review about the Centrelink AoS decision.
Documents relevant to the review
The Department provides us with all the relevant files and documents relating to the decision under review.
Check how you can access to information and documents in relation to the review.
You can also give us new information that you think supports your case.
Pre-hearing
The review will be allocated to a Member who will decide how to proceed. The Member is the person who will make a decision about the review.
Before the hearing we might:
- ask you to give us further information
- invite you to comment on any information that we consider would be the reason, or a part of the reason, for not changing the decision under review
- invite you to nominate other persons who could give evidence or suggest other evidence or materials we might obtain.
We might make a decision without inviting you to a hearing if the case can be decided in your favour based on the information we have.
Hearing
The hearing is an opportunity for you to present information and talk about why you disagree with the decision under review.
How long will the review process take?
You can find information on processing times for Migration and Refugee reviews on the Migration & Refugee Division processing times page.