ART Fees from July 2026: Migration Review and Financial Hardship
Sources checked 18 September 2026
ART fees from July 2026 depend on the type of decision being reviewed. Identify the correct category before arranging payment or seeking a financial hardship reduction. A fee rule for one review type should not be applied to every visa matter.
The amounts below were checked against the Tribunal’s published guidance on 18 September 2026. Confirm the current instructions when you apply or pay.
Current fees for migration and protection matters
The ART’s official fee schedule lists these amounts:
| Review type | Published fee | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewable migration decision under Part 5 | $3,727 | A 50% financial hardship reduction may be available |
| Reviewable protection decision | $2,293 | No upfront fee; payable after decision only in specified circumstances |
| Character decision under sections 501 or 501CA | $1,195 standard fee | Different fee framework from Part 5 migration review |
For Part 5 migration reviews, pay the full or half fee by the review deadline; lodge the hardship application and supporting material before finalisation. Protection review fees do not have the same hardship reduction. Check the official page for outcome-specific protection fees and refunds.
Prepare a financial picture that can be checked
Organise the financial information requested by the current form. Build a working list of income, regular outgoings, available funds and obligations. Explain irregular earnings and substantial recent changes so a single bank balance is not presented without context.
The official fee guidance addresses financial evidence and says to remove tax file numbers. Check documents carefully before supplying them. Do not remove other relevant financial information merely because it seems unhelpful.
A practical evidence preparation table
| Working item | Organisation check |
|---|---|
| Income records | Identify the period and explain irregular payments |
| Statements | Keep dates and account ownership clear |
| Regular expenses | Distinguish recurring costs from one-off payments |
| Debts and obligations | Identify the balance and repayment arrangement |
| Changed circumstances | State when the change occurred and what records support it |
This table is an organisation aid, not a substitute for the Tribunal’s current form or a promise of eligibility. Do not invent an expense, omit an account or use an outdated document as though it described the current position.
Keep the review deadline separate from financial preparation
Make a task list showing the review deadline, payment step, hardship paperwork and person responsible for each action. If you are close to a deadline, obtain advice urgently rather than waiting until every supporting document is convenient to obtain.
Keep payment confirmation and the submitted hardship material together. If a payment fails or instructions are unclear, preserve the message and raise the problem promptly. A planned transfer is not proof that the required payment was received.
Separate Tribunal fees from professional fees
Ask any representative’s quote to identify the work included, exclusions and how later stages are charged. A Tribunal application fee is different from the cost of legal advice, translations or other assistance.
For broader budgeting and timing considerations, see our ART cost and time guide. Use the official fee schedule linked above to confirm government charges rather than relying on an older quote or search snippet.
Keep a fee record for the life of the review
- The category used to identify the fee.
- The payment date, amount and receipt.
- The hardship application and supporting documents, if relevant.
- Any fee decision or request for more information.
- The final outcome and any refund correspondence.
If someone else pays, keep enough information to reconcile the payment with your case reference. Ask how any subsequent refund would be handled instead of assuming it will reach the applicant’s account automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Does financial difficulty guarantee a reduction?
No. Present accurate information through the applicable process and obtain advice about the requirements.
Should a protection applicant use the ordinary migration fee checklist?
No. Identify the protection review rules before making assumptions about payment or hardship relief.
Can an old article determine the amount I must pay?
Check the current official instructions for your category and payment circumstances.
Discuss your file with Emigrate Lawyers
Our ART review team can review your decision, evidence and next steps. Contact Emigrate Lawyers with your existing documents and any current deadline so we can discuss advice specific to your circumstances.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Australian migration law, policy and procedures can change, and your options depend on your individual circumstances. Do not rely on this article to calculate a deadline or determine your eligibility. Obtain advice from a qualified Australian legal practitioner about your situation. Reading this article does not create a solicitor–client relationship with Emigrate Lawyers.
Madhab Kharel
Principal Lawyer & Director, Emigrate Lawyers
Madhab Kharel is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Emigrate Lawyers, an Australian law firm assisting clients across Australia and internationally. His migration law practice includes Partner Visas, Protection Visas, visa refusals and cancellations, Administrative Review Tribunal matters, health and character issues, Schedule 3, Section 48, sponsorship limitations and employer-sponsored migration. He regularly advises clients with complex immigration histories and matters requiring detailed legal submissions and evidence strategy.
