Visa Appeals Surge as Students Face Long Delays

Sydney, Australia — December 13, 2025 Nearly 50,000 foreign students in Australia have appealed against visa cancellations, creating a massive backlog at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The surge began after the government tightened student visa rules a year and a half ago, leading to widespread cancellations for reasons such as failing to study prescribed courses, repeatedly changing programs, and working beyond legal limits.

Last October, a large number of visa applications were rejected, further fueling appeals. Students are entitled to challenge Department of Home Affairs decisions through the ART, but limited staffing has left thousands of cases unresolved. As of October 31, 46,590 applications remain undecided, with 13,000 pending for one to two years.

The tribunal, once known for swift resolutions, now takes three to five years to finalize cases. Lawmakers have raised concerns in Parliament, warning that prolonged appeals allow students to remain in Australia and use the process as a pathway to immigration. MPs have urged the government to increase staffing and accelerate decisions.

The ART has acknowledged the strain and stated that, with adequate resources, it could resolve 71,000 applications in the 2025/26 financial year. Until then, thousands of students remain in limbo, highlighting the growing pressure on Australia’s immigration system.