Migration · Melbourne, VIC
Verified Australian migration lawyers practising in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. Practising certificates checked against the VIC register. Fees published. Methodology transparent.
Australian migration law is governed by the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and the Migration Regulations 1994. The Department of Home Affairs decides applications; the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART, formerly AAT) reviews most refusals. Migration practice is highly specialised — visa subclasses run into the dozens and processing times, eligibility criteria and Department charges change frequently.
Melbourne is the second-largest legal market in Australia with substantial commercial and equity practices. The Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Court (Melbourne Registry), and Federal Circuit and Family Court (Melbourne Registry) all sit here. The Law Institute of Victoria regulates solicitors; the Victorian Bar regulates barristers.
Regulators: Law Institute of Victoria (liv.asn.au) and the Victorian Bar (vicbar.com.au)
Department of Home Affairs Melbourne offices. ART migration division Melbourne. Federal Court of Australia Melbourne Registry for judicial review.
Indicative fees drawn from our 2026 practitioner survey and published cost data. Confirm in writing with any firm before engaging — written costs disclosure is mandatory under the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
| Pathway / matter type | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partner visa | $4,500–$10,000 + $9,365 DHA | |
| Skilled visa | $2,500–$5,500 + DHA fees | |
| ART partner review | $15,000–$35,000 |
For the full migration cost breakdown across Australia, see our Migration cost guide.
Matter types we see most often in our intake from Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.
Spouse, de facto and fiance visas. The Department weighs four evidence categories: financial, household, social and commitment. Department charge $9,365. Typical processing 12–32 months. Refusal merits-review at ART has 40–55% success rate with well-prepared evidence.
Points-tested or employer-sponsored. Requires skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. Core Skills Occupation List updated periodically — 14 occupations added 1 May 2026.
Sponsor-nominated permanent residency for skilled workers. Direct Entry stream and Temporary Residence Transition stream. 50/90% processing times 8/17 months.
Significant investor, premium investor, business owner, entrepreneur. High Department charges ($15–40k+) and complex eligibility requirements. Multi-year pathway.
Family visit, business visitor, tourist. Fast processing but refusal rates vary materially by applicant country.
Australian citizenship application after meeting residency requirements. Citizenship test and ceremony.
Application to the Administrative Review Tribunal where a visa is refused. Filing fee $3,496. Lawyers represent applicant with written submissions and (where required) oral hearing.
Visa cancellation or refusal on character grounds. High-urgency matters — specialist representation essential.
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Migration lawyer and registered migration agent based in Melbourne, with cross-cultural fluency.
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