Review Tribunal – Staggering Statistics

The new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has unveiled some staggering statistics since its inception in mid-October last year. From then until the end of November, 3,557 student visa refusal appeals were lodged—a record high for such a short period.

Here’s what the data reveals:

  • 67% of appeals were successful, with cases sent back to the Immigration Department for further processing.
  • 16% were unsuccessful, and another 16% of applicants withdrew their cases.

This means that nearly 70% of these decisions by the Immigration Department were found to be flawed, leaving thousands of students in limbo.

And the backlog? It’s shocking. By the end of November, 21,471 cases were still waiting to be reviewed, and with only 33 appeals finalised in the first month and a half, the current pace suggests it could take up to 8.9 years to clear the backlog!

Source: https://www.art.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/ART_Migration_Caseload_2024-25.pdf 

 

While promised extra staffing may help reduce these timelines, students waiting for appeals need to consider:

Long Waits Could Be an Advantage: In some cases, the waiting period may work in favor of applicants.

Proving Genuineness Is Critical: To succeed in an appeal, students must demonstrate they remain genuine students—which can be challenging if they’ve already completed their courses.

For those navigating this complex process, preparation is key. Ensure your case is well-supported with evidence of your genuine intentions, compliance, and future plans. We wrote more about ART processes at https://www.educli.com/blog/2024/10/28/administrative-review-tribunal-art-what-you-should-know/ 

This unprecedented wave of student visa refusals highlights critical gaps in the decision-making process and underscores the importance of a fair and efficient appeals system.

What are your thoughts on this situation? Are these delays affecting you or someone you know? Let’s discuss!

#StudentVisas #Australia #InternationalStudents #EducationPolicy #AdministrativeReview