What happens if my Australian student visa application is refused?

If your Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) is refused, you will receive a written decision letter explaining the reasons for refusal. The next steps depend on the specific ground for refusal.

If your application was refused by a delegate of the Minister (i.e., a standard Department of Home Affairs officer), you generally have the right to apply for a merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — this is the renamed Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). You must lodge the review application within a specific timeframe stated in your refusal letter, typically 21 days from the date of the decision.

At the ART, an independent reviewer will reassess your application on its merits. You can submit additional evidence and arguments to support your case.

Alternatively, you can reapply from scratch with a stronger application, addressing the specific reasons for the refusal.

Some common refusal reasons include: failure to meet the Genuine Student requirement, insufficient financial evidence, health requirements not met, character concerns, and incomplete documentation.

If you receive a refusal, engaging a registered migration agent (MARA-registered) promptly is strongly recommended. Time limits for review applications are strict, and missing them can forfeit your right to a review.