Award-Winning Immigration Agency.
Over a decade of success.
Our clients are treated like family.
Available 365 days a year.
120+ 5-star Google reviews.
Contact Andreas Athanasiou directly. Book your free 1–hour consultation.
Refusals, Appeals & Australian Tribunal Hearings
The Administrative Review Tribunal (A.R.T.) is an independent Australian body responsible for reviewing administrative decisions made under Commonwealth law. If your visa has been refused or cancelled, you may have the right to appeal this decision to the A.R.T.
Once a valid appeal is lodged, the Tribunal will provide further instructions regarding the next steps in the process. This usually includes an invitation to submit additional information, supporting documents and evidence relevant to your case, as well as an invitation to attend a Tribunal Hearing.
It is important to respond promptly and accurately to any requests from the Tribunal. Failure to do so may result in your appeal being determined without a hearing, significantly affecting your ability to present your case and achieve a favourable outcome.
Given the complexity of the Tribunal appeals process and the numerous steps involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Overview
Andreas Athanasiou has successfully represented clients in numerous Tribunal Hearings across a wide range of visa subclasses, consistently achieving exceptional outcomes. Our firm is equipped to assist you with every stage of the Tribunal process, including:
• Lodging your appeal with the Tribunal.
• Preparing detailed written submissions before and after any request for information.
• Conducting 2–3 comprehensive mock hearings (in person or via Zoom) to ensure you are fully prepared.
• Attending and representing you at the Tribunal Hearing(s).
• Preparing and submitting any post-hearing arguments or supporting evidence.
We offer a complimentary consultation to assess your circumstances and advise you on the best way forward.
Tribunal Fees
You must pay a Tribunal appeal fee when lodging an application to review most migration-related decisions. The current appeal fee is $3,727, and it must be paid in full before the application deadline in order for your review to be accepted by the A.R.T.
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a 50% reduction of the initial fee if you can demonstrate that paying the full amount would cause severe financial hardship. If your appeal is successful, the Tribunal will refund 50% of the full fee (if you have paid the full amount).
Please note that our professional fees* are separate from the Tribunal fee and will vary depending on the complexity of your matter and the specific level of assistance you require throughout the Tribunal process.
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
Processing Times
The time it takes for the Administrative Review Tribunal to finalise an appeal varies significantly and is influenced by several factors, including the volume of applications currently before the Tribunal, the availability of Tribunal Members to hear cases, the type of visa decision under review and the overall complexity and evidentiary requirements of the case.
Based on current processing trends, the approximate timeframes to be invited to a hearing and receive a decision can be up to 3 years, depending on the factors above.
In some cases, where the matter is straightforward and lacks complexity, the Tribunal may reach a decision within a few weeks or months. However, applicants should be prepared for the possibility of extended delays due to the high volume of cases and limited Tribunal resources.
In the following link, you can view genuine testimonials from past clients and individuals who have received immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou. These are sourced directly from our Google page and reflect consistently outstanding client feedback.
The Olympus Migration Difference
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), bringing over a decade of experience and having managed 1,000+ visa lodgements across a wide range of complex and straightforward migration matters successfully.
Fixed Fees
We believe clarity builds trust. That’s why we operate on a fixed-fee basis — no hidden costs or surprise charges at any stage of your matter. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months, including post-lodgement, tailored to suit your individual circumstances and financial situation.
Direct & Prompt
You deal directly with our Director, not a case manager or junior staff, ensuring clear and consistent communication. We respond promptly and are available 365 days a year, with your matter personally managed from start to finish, providing experienced oversight, strong accountability, and confidence at every stage.
Peace of Mind
We have an outstanding record, however if your application is refused, we may assist with a merits review, at our discretion, without additional professional fees. This reflects our ongoing commitment to you — our Peace of Mind Policy, because once you engage us, you are family, and we stand by you every step of the way.
Our Step-by-Step Process
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1. Book your Free 1-Hour Consultation
Begin by contacting our office via phone, email, or online enquiry to arrange your complimentary 1-hour consultation. Our friendly team is here to assist you, and we are available 365 days a year. We offer both face-to-face meetings in Melbourne and Zoom consultations for clients across Australia and worldwide, ensuring flexibility no matter your location.
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2. Meet with Andreas Athanasiou (RMA)
During your complimentary 1-hour, obligation-free consultation, you will speak directly with our Director, who will take the time to understand your circumstances in detail. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, receive a clear assessment of your eligibility, and be provided with tailored advice along with a written outline of the most suitable visa pathways available to you.
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3. Formally Appoint us to Act for You
If you decide to proceed and meet the relevant eligibility criteria, you may formally appoint our office to act on your behalf. You will be provided with a comprehensive Agreement for Services and Fees, clearly outlining the scope of work, professional fees, and terms of engagement. Once this is reviewed and signed, you officially become a valued client of Olympus Migration.
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4. We Prepare & Lodge Your Application
Following your appointment, we will issue you with a detailed checklist of required documents tailored to your specific matter. As you begin providing the necessary information, we will carefully prepare your application and supporting documentation. Once you have reviewed and approved our work, we will lodge your application with the Department of Home Affairs.
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5. Ongoing Support Until the Decision
After lodgement, our office will manage all correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf. We will keep you informed of updates and requests, and remain in contact throughout the process. We may request additional documents after lodgement to ensure your application remains complete. Our representation continues until a final decision is made.
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6. Our Commitment to our Clients
We have an outstanding record of successful outcomes; however, in the scenario that your application is refused, Olympus Migration will, where appropriate and subject to your ongoing eligibility and instructions, assist you with preparing and lodging a further application or a merits review to the Tribunal, without additional professional fees. This is our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy.
Book a Free 1-Hour Consultation
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All communication is handled directly by our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou (MARN: 1685134), ensuring clear, consistent, and expert guidance throughout your matter.
Learn more about Andreas on our About Us page.
In-person consultations in Melbourne are available by appointment only.