Migration
Migration
What it is: Migration law covers visa applications, sponsorship, citizenship and appeals of visa refusals or cancellations all administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
Who it helps: Individuals wanting to live, work or study in Australia; families wanting to reunite; employers sponsoring skilled workers; and anyone who has received a visa refusal or cancellation.
Common situations: partner and family visa applications; skilled and employer-sponsored visa applications; student visa applications and extensions; responding to a visa refusal or cancellation; and appealing a decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
Why professional advice matters: migration law changes frequently, application requirements are detailed and unforgiving of small errors, and appeal deadlines to the Administrative Review Tribunal are strict often just 28 days from the decision, with no extensions. A single mistake in an application can mean a refusal that's difficult or impossible to fix later.
Sedaro Legal helps clients choose the right visa pathway from the outset, prepares thorough applications that anticipate likely questions from a case officer, and acts quickly where a refusal needs to be appealed within a tight deadline.
What visa options are available to live in Australia?
Options generally fall into a few broad categories partner and family visas, skilled and employer-sponsored visas, student visas, and business or investor visas each with different eligibility criteria administered by the Department of Home Affairs. The right pathway depends heavily on individual circumstances.
Can a visa refusal be appealed?
Many visa refusals can be appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the AAT in 2024, but strict deadlines apply often just 28 days from the decision, with no extensions available. Not every decision is reviewable, so it's worth getting advice quickly.
How long does a partner visa take to be approved?
Processing times vary significantly and change regularly based on Department of Home Affairs workloads and policy settings, so it's best to check current published processing times before assuming a timeframe. What stays consistent is that a well-prepared application with strong supporting evidence tends to move more smoothly through the process.
What happens if my student visa is about to expire?
You'll generally need to apply for a new visa before your current one expires if you intend to stay in Australia leaving it too late can mean you become unlawful. Options depend on your circumstances, such as continuing study, transitioning to a graduate visa, or another pathway.
Can I sponsor a family member to come to Australia?
In many cases, yes, partner, parent, and certain other family visa categories allow eligible sponsors to bring family members to Australia, though requirements, including financial and character requirements for the sponsor, vary by visa type.
What's the difference between a migration agent and a migration lawyer?
Both can prepare and lodge visa applications, but a migration lawyer can also represent clients in tribunal and court proceedings, provide advice that draws on broader legal principles, and handle matters that involve overlapping legal issues for example, a visa matter connected to a family law dispute.