ART Fee Increase from 1 July 2026: What Migration and Protection Visa Applicants Need to Know
ART FEE INCREASE 01 JULY 2026
The Administrative Review Tribunal fee increase announced for 1 July 2026 will affect many applicants seeking review of migration, protection, taxation, NDIS and other administrative decisions.
For migration and protection visa applicants, the most important changes are the increased fees for:
- Reviewable migration decisions
- Reviewable protection decisions
- Applications where a fee reduction or concession may be available
This update is particularly important for people considering an ART review application after a visa refusal, visa cancellation, sponsorship refusal, nomination refusal, or protection visa refusal.
What Is the Administrative Review Tribunal?
The Administrative Review Tribunal, commonly referred to as the ART, reviews certain decisions made by Australian Government departments and agencies.
In migration law, the ART can review many decisions made by the Department of Home Affairs, including certain:
- Visa refusal decisions
- Visa cancellation decisions
- Sponsorship and nomination decisions
- Protection visa decisions
- Other reviewable migration decisions
An ART review gives an applicant the opportunity to have an eligible decision reconsidered independently.
ART Fee Increase from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the ART application fees will increase across several categories.
For migration and protection visa matters, the key changes are:
New ART Fee for Reviewable Migration Decisions
The fee for review of a reviewable migration decision will increase to:
$3,727
This fee may apply to many migration review applications, including certain visa refusal, visa cancellation, nomination and sponsorship review matters.
Importantly, a 50% fee reduction may be available on financial hardship grounds. Applicants who are experiencing financial difficulty should consider whether they may be eligible to request a fee reduction when lodging their ART review application.
New ART Fee for Reviewable Protection Decisions
The fee for review of a reviewable protection decision will increase to:
$2,293
For protection visa applicants, this is a significant update. In general, this fee is usually payable only if the review application is not successful.
This means applicants seeking review of a protection visa refusal should still obtain advice about their review rights, deadline, evidence and prospects, rather than assuming that the fee must be paid upfront in every case.
When Do the New ART Fees Apply?
The new ART fees apply to any application fee paid on or after 1 July 2026.
This is a critical point.
Even if an ART review application is lodged before 1 July 2026, the increased fee may still apply if the relevant application fee is paid on or after 1 July 2026.
Applicants should therefore be careful about:
- ART review lodgement deadlines
- Payment deadlines
- Whether payment is required at lodgement
- Whether a fee reduction or concession is available
- Whether urgent legal advice is needed before 1 July 2026
Other ART Fee Changes from 1 July 2026
The Administrative Review Tribunal has also announced increases to other application fees from 1 July 2026, including:
Standard ART Application Fee
The standard application fee will increase to:
$1,195
This applies to decisions not specified elsewhere.
Small Business Taxation Review Fee
The fee for review of a small business taxation decision will increase to:
$641
Certain Low-Value Taxation Review Fee
For certain taxation decisions where the amount of tax in dispute is less than $5,000, or where the Commissioner has refused a request for an extension of time to lodge an objection, the fee will increase to:
$119
Guidance and Appeals Panel Review Fee
The fee for review by the Guidance and Appeals Panel will increase to:
$1,195
Concessional ART Fee
The ART has confirmed that the fee in concessional circumstances will remain:
$100
Applicants should carefully check whether they qualify for concessional circumstances before lodging a review application.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Review Applications
A fee is now payable for an application for review of a decision by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner.
The applicable fee will be the standard ART application fee.
From 1 July 2026, this means the fee will be:
$1,195
Why Are ART Fees Increasing?
ART fees increase annually in accordance with the relevant tribunal rules and migration regulations. The increases reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index, commonly referred to as CPI.
This means ART application fees may continue to change each financial year.
Why the ART Fee Increase Matters for Migration Applicants
The ART fee increase is particularly important for migration applicants because strict time limits apply to many review applications.
In many visa refusal or visa cancellation matters, applicants may only have a short period to lodge a review application. Missing the ART deadline can result in losing the right to have the decision reviewed.
The fee increase means applicants should act quickly if they have received a Department of Home Affairs decision and are considering an ART review.
What Should You Do If Your Visa Has Been Refused or Cancelled?
If you have received a visa refusal, visa cancellation, nomination refusal, sponsorship refusal or protection visa refusal, you should take immediate steps to protect your review rights.
You should consider:
- The exact date you received the decision
- The ART review deadline
- Whether the decision is reviewable
- Whether the correct applicant must lodge the review
- Whether the new ART fee applies
- Whether you may qualify for a fee reduction or concession
- What evidence should be prepared for the review
- Whether you need urgent migration law advice
ART Review Deadlines Are Strict
The ART usually cannot accept a review application lodged outside the legal deadline. This makes timing extremely important.
If you are close to the ART deadline, you should not wait until the fee increase date or assume that more time will be available.
Financial Hardship and ART Fee Reduction
For reviewable migration decisions, a 50% reduction may be granted on financial hardship grounds.
This can substantially reduce the upfront financial burden for eligible applicants. However, financial hardship must usually be properly requested and supported.
Applicants should prepare evidence of their financial circumstances, which may include information about income, expenses, dependants, savings, debts and financial obligations.
Protection Visa Review Applicants
For protection visa review applicants, the increased fee of $2,293 is generally payable only if the application is unsuccessful.
However, protection visa review matters are complex and evidence-heavy. Applicants should prepare strong submissions, updated country information and detailed supporting evidence addressing the reasons for refusal.
Key Takeaways: ART Fee Increase 2026
The most important points are:
- ART application fees increase from 1 July 2026
- The reviewable migration decision fee increases to $3,727
- A 50% financial hardship reduction may be available for migration review matters
- The reviewable protection decision fee increases to $2,293
- Protection review fees are generally payable only if the application is unsuccessful
- The standard ART application fee increases to $1,195
- The concessional ART fee remains $100
- New fees apply to fees paid on or after 1 July 2026
- ART review deadlines remain strict
Need Help with an ART Review Application?
If your visa has been refused or cancelled, or if you have received a decision from the Department of Home Affairs, you should seek advice as soon as possible.
At Emigrate Lawyers, we assist clients with:
- ART review applications
- Visa refusal reviews
- Visa cancellation reviews
- Protection visa reviews
- Migration submissions and evidence preparation
- Financial hardship fee reduction requests
- Review strategy and hearing preparation
Contact Emigrate Lawyers
If you need help with an ART review application, visa refusal, visa cancellation, or protection visa review, contact Emigrate Lawyers for professional migration law assistance.
Strict deadlines apply. Getting advice early can make a significant difference to your case.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Migration law changes frequently, and applicants should obtain advice specific to their circumstances before lodging any visa application.
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