How Long Does ART Appeal Take

What Can Affect ART Review Processing Time?

Several factors can affect how long an ART visa appeal takes. The type of visa decision is important because different migration caseloads currently have significantly different processing times. The complexity of the case, the amount of evidence, the number of applications received and the availability of Tribunal members can also affect the timeframe.

The stage of your review can also affect how long you wait. Some matters may be scheduled for a case event relatively quickly, while others may take a considerable period before a hearing or other event is listed. The ART may also decide certain reviews without an oral hearing where the law permits this. Recent legislative changes mean that most reviews of student visa refusals lodged from 1 June 2026 are generally decided without an oral hearing, subject to limited exceptions.

How Long After Lodging Does an ART Review Take?

After lodging your review, the Tribunal will progress the matter according to the applicable procedures and notify you about the next steps. You may be asked to provide further information or documents, attend a case event or hearing, or respond to material provided by another party. It is important to read every communication from the ART carefully and comply with any deadlines.

The deadline for lodging an ART migration review is separate from the processing time. For many migration decisions, applicants who are not in immigration detention generally have 28 days after being notified of the decision to apply for review. However, the exact deadline depends on the decision and circumstances, so you should check the Department of Home Affairs decision letter carefully.

You can find current information about ART processing times directly on the Tribunal's website. The ART updates its published statistics as new data becomes available.

Can an ART Appeal Be Expedited?

Some review categories have special statutory timeframes or expedited processes. Whether your case can be treated differently depends on the type of decision and the applicable legislation. You should not assume that an individual case can be accelerated simply because it has been pending for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does an ART appeal take?

There is no single timeframe for every ART migration review. Based on cases finalised between 1 February 2026 and 31 July 2026, half of all migration reviews were finalised within 1 year and 6 months, while 95% were finalised within 2 years and 10 months.

2. How long does an ART visa appeal take?

The timeframe depends on the type of visa decision under review. For example, the latest published figures show that half of skill-linked reviews were finalised within 10 months, while half of partner reviews took 3 years and 2 months.

3. Does every ART review have a hearing?

No. The procedure depends on the type of review. Some matters may involve a hearing or other case event, while certain reviews can be decided using written material. Most student visa refusal reviews lodged from 1 June 2026 are generally decided without an oral hearing, subject to limited exceptions.

4. Can I check the current ART appeal processing time?

Yes. The ART publishes current processing-time statistics for migration and protection reviews. These figures are based on recently finalised cases and are intended as a guide rather than a guarantee for an individual review.

5. How long do I have to lodge an ART migration review?

For many migration decisions, applicants who are not in immigration detention generally have 28 days after being notified of the decision to apply for review. However, different rules can apply to different decisions, so you should check your decision letter for the specific deadline.