Representing yourself at the ART

The ART says you can deal with it directly, or ask someone to represent you. Only a registered migration agent or an Australian lawyer can charge a fee for it.

Yes. The ART says: "You can deal directly with us (represent yourself) or you can ask someone to help and represent you." It describes its processes as informal and user-friendly, and says you can deal with it directly with little or no assistance if you wish.

Whether self-representation suits a particular matter is not something this site can say. That depends on your decision letter and your circumstances. The general rules are below so you can decide what to ask. For free options, see free and low-cost help after a visa refusal.

Source: ART, Immigration and citizenship (checked 16 October 2026)

Who can represent you

The ART says you can arrange for a registered migration agent, or an Australian lawyer who holds a practising certificate, to represent you. A close family member (your spouse, child, parent, brother or sister) or the person nominating or sponsoring you can also represent you.

Only a registered migration agent or an Australian lawyer who holds a practising certificate can ask you to pay a fee for representing you. A family member or sponsor can act, but the law does not let them charge. The ART cannot recommend a particular individual or organisation and cannot pay for anyone to help you.

Source: ART, Immigration and citizenship (checked 16 October 2026)

What a representative can do

Appointing a representative also makes them the person who receives correspondence from the ART. After you apply, the ART uses form MR5 to appoint a representative and/or authorised recipient, and form MR6 to cancel or change details. Check the ART's current forms before using them.

If you have a representative, you are still the applicant. What happens next in a review is covered in what happens after you apply to the ART.

  • communicate with the ART on your behalf
  • give the ART written evidence and written submissions on your behalf
  • request access to documents relating to the review
  • attend a hearing with you

Source: ART, Immigration and citizenship (checked 16 October 2026)

No ART money for representation

The ART says it cannot pay for representative costs. The ART's own application fee is separate and is explained in the ART application fee. The ART's practice direction says legal or financial assistance under section 294 of the ART Act is not available for migration and protection reviews under Part 5 of the Migration Act, apart from referrals to the Guidance and Appeals Panel.

If you pay a registered agent, you are entitled to the written agreement and fee information described in migration agent fees and written agreements. Lawyers have their own cost-disclosure rules under state and territory law.

Source: ART, Migration, Protection and Character Practice Direction, para 3.1 (checked 16 October 2026)

Interpreters

The ART says: "If you need an interpreter, please let us know. We will arrange for a qualified interpreter to assist, free of charge." Its language services page adds that you cannot ask a relative or friend to interpret for you at a hearing or conference. Tell the ART before the hearing day.

This is separate from the interpreter a migration agent arranges for meetings with you. Under the Code of Conduct an agent must arrange one on request, and the agent may require you to pay for it.

Source: ART, Language services (checked 16 October 2026)

Help without full representation

The ART says it can help you understand the review process, but it cannot give advice about your case. Advice on your own facts comes from a registered migration agent, a lawyer or a free legal service.

The same applies to this page: it explains the general rules and is not legal advice or immigration assistance. Your decision letter states your time limit and whether the decision can be reviewed, and that limit applies whether you act alone or with a representative. For the general rule, see the 28-day deadline.

Source: ART, Legal support for immigration and citizenship reviews (checked 16 October 2026)

Where this came from

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