Find a Protection Visa Agent in Australia

What a Protection Visa Is

The subclass 866 protection visa is for people in Australia who are owed protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention or Australia's complementary protection obligations. Applicants must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group — or that they face a real risk of significant harm if returned to their home country.

Why Specialist Representation Matters

Protection visa applications involve complex legal arguments, country condition evidence, and often traumatic personal testimony. The initial application to the Department, and any subsequent review at the ART, requires detailed written submissions that frame your claims within the legal framework. An agent or lawyer experienced in protection claims knows how to present your case effectively, which country information to cite, and how to prepare you for interviews. The quality of your initial submission significantly affects the outcome.

The Application Process

You must apply in person in Australia. The process involves a written application with your claims for protection, a departmental interview where you explain your circumstances, and a decision. If refused, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for review — but the deadline is fixed: 28 days after you're notified of the decision, or 14 days if you're in immigration detention on that day, and the Tribunal cannot extend it (Migration Act 1958, s347).

ART Review for Protection Visa Refusals

If your protection visa is refused, applying to the ART for review is often the most important next step, and it must happen within 28 days of being notified (14 days if you're in immigration detention that day) — this deadline cannot be extended. Reviewable protection decisions go through the same Part 5 review pathway as other visa refusals, with some rules specific to protection matters: hearings must be held in private, and there are separate provisions for how the ART deals with new claims or evidence raised during the review.

Sensitivity and Confidentiality

Protection visa matters involve some of the most sensitive personal information in immigration law. The Department does not disclose protection visa applications to the applicant's home country government. Your agent maintains strict confidentiality. Many agents who handle protection claims have specific training in working with people who have experienced trauma, persecution, and displacement.

Costs and Access to Help

There's no official fee schedule for protection visa work, and no fixed market rate. Under the Code of Conduct for migration agents, a fee must be fair and reasonable and set out in a written service agreement, and no payment beyond a reasonable fee for an initial consultation is allowed before that agreement is signed. Free legal help exists specifically for people seeking protection: the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) and other community legal centres assist asylum seekers, legal aid may be available in some states, and Home Affairs itself points applicants toward free legal advice before they apply. Through Migratio, you can describe your situation and get matched with agents experienced in protection visa matters.

How much does a protection visa agent cost?

There's no official fee schedule. Under the Code of Conduct, your agent's fee must be fair and reasonable and set out in a written service agreement before you pay anything beyond a reasonable fee for an initial consultation. Free legal help also exists — the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS), other community legal centres, and legal aid in some states.

Can I work while my protection visa is being processed?

If you hold a bridging visa with work rights, yes. Your agent helps ensure your bridging visa conditions allow work.

What if my protection visa is refused?

You can apply to the ART for review, but the deadline is fixed and cannot be extended: 28 days after you're notified of the decision, or 14 days if you're in immigration detention that day (Migration Act 1958, s347). Seek advice immediately.

Is my application confidential?

Yes. The Department does not disclose protection visa applications to your home country government. Your agent also maintains strict confidentiality.

Do I need a lawyer or an agent?

Both can handle protection visa matters. Some complex protection claims benefit from a lawyer, particularly if court proceedings become necessary. Many agents specialise in protection work and provide excellent representation through the Department and ART stages.