Visa applications are expensive and a refusal can be hard to undo, so it pays to get the application right the first time. Here's how immigration help works in Australia, and the immigration lawyers and migration firms we list in each city.
Immigration lawyers by city
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Common reasons people see an immigration lawyer
- Skilled and employer sponsored visas, including working out which pathway fits your occupation and points.
- Partner and family visas, where the evidence of the relationship makes or breaks the application.
- Student and graduate visas and moving from one visa to the next.
- Refusals, cancellations and character issues, including review at the Administrative Review Tribunal and appeals to the courts.
- Citizenship applications and protection visas.
Lawyer or migration agent?
For a simple application, a registered migration agent can be a good choice. For refusals, cancellations, character concerns or anything likely to end up in a tribunal or court, a lawyer who focuses on migration law is usually worth it. Whoever you use, check their registration or practising certificate before you pay anything.
What to ask before you hire one
- Are you a lawyer, a registered migration agent, or both?
- How many applications for this visa have you lodged recently? Rules and processing change often.
- What's the professional fee, and what's the government charge?
- What happens if the application is refused?
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Immigration lawyers: common questions
What's the difference between an immigration lawyer and a migration agent?
Both can give immigration advice and lodge visa applications. Migration agents who aren't lawyers must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Lawyers with an unrestricted practising certificate can give immigration help without that registration, and they can also represent you in court if a matter goes that far.
My visa was refused. What can I do?
Many refusals can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaced the AAT in October 2024. The time limit to apply is short and strict, and it's set out in your refusal letter. Get advice straight away rather than waiting until near the deadline.
How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
Many firms charge a fixed professional fee for each visa application, separate from the government's visa application charge. Ask for both in writing, and what happens to the fee if the application is refused.
Can I get free immigration help?
Free help is limited, but some community legal centres give free migration advice, particularly for protection visas and people on low incomes. In NSW, Legal Aid NSW's Immigration Service also gives free help.
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