Protection visa: AUD 1,863.50 upfront ART fee from 1 November 2026
Protection visa applicants also lose Bridging visa B eligibility and face new Bridging visa E conditions, the Administrative Review Tribunal says.
In short
- What changed
- Bridging visa B eligibility is removed for Protection visa applicants, new conditions apply to Bridging visa E, and an upfront Administrative Review Tribunal fee of AUD 1,863.50 must be paid.
- From
- 1 November 2026, so the changes are now in force.
- Who it affects
- Protection visa applicants in Australia.
- What to do
- Read the official Administrative Review Tribunal page and get advice about your own situation.
In force1 November 2026
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has published changes affecting Protection visa applicants in Australia, which start on 1 November 2026, according to art.gov.au. Bridging visa B eligibility is being removed, new conditions are being introduced for Bridging visa E, and applicants must pay an upfront ART fee of AUD 1,863.50.
What is changing
According to the ART, three things change for Protection visa applicants:
- Bridging visa B eligibility is being removed for Protection visa applicants.
- New conditions are being introduced for Bridging visa E.
- Applicants will have to pay an upfront Administrative Review Tribunal fee of AUD 1,863.50.
When it applies
The ART says the changes start on 1 November 2026. That date has now passed, so the changes are in force as of today, 4 November 2026.
Who is affected
The changes affect Protection visa applicants in Australia. The source material does not say how the changes apply to people in other visa categories.
What has not been detailed
The information available to us does not set out what the new Bridging visa E conditions are. It also does not explain other details of how the upfront fee works. Readers should check the official page for the full detail.
What to do next
Read the ART's own page on the changes: upcoming fee changes for Protection reviews. This article is general information only, so consider getting advice about your own circumstances.
What this means for you
- If you have applied or plan to apply for a Protection visa in Australia, the upfront ART fee of AUD 1,863.50 is part of the new rules.
- If you rely on a Bridging visa B for travel, note that Protection visa applicants are no longer eligible for it, according to the ART.
- If you hold or may need a Bridging visa E, check the official page for the new conditions, as details were not given in our source information.
- If you are planning a move to Australia, these changes apply only to Protection visa applicants in Australia.
Updates
First published.
Questions people ask
When did the Protection visa changes start?
According to the Administrative Review Tribunal, the changes start on 1 November 2026. That date has passed, so they now apply.
How much is the upfront ART fee?
The ART says applicants will have to pay an upfront Administrative Review Tribunal fee of AUD 1,863.50.
What are the new Bridging visa E conditions?
The ART says new conditions are being introduced for Bridging visa E, but the details are not set out in the information we have. Check the official ART page for them.
Have a question about your own situation?
Ask your questionGeneral information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; check the official source and get advice about your own circumstances.