Can I Get a Refund if my Australia 601 / 600 Visa is Refused?
The Short Answer: NO.
Many applicants mistakenly believe that if their visa is refused, or if they withdraw their application, they are entitled to a refund of the Visa Application Charge (VAC).
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the fee you pay is for the processing of your application, not for the outcome of the visa.
1. Why "Non-Refundable"?
When you hit "Submit" and pay the fee, you are paying for the officer's time and the use of the immigration system to assess your case. Whether the result is a "Grant" (approval) or a "Refusal", that work has been done.
Official Policy: "The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is the amount you must pay for a visa application. You usually pay this when you apply. It is generally not refundable if your application is refused."
2. Are There Any Exceptions?
Refunds are extremely rare and only granted in specific technical circumstances, such as:
- Death: The applicant passes away before a decision is made.
- System Error: You were charged twice due to a payment gateway glitch.
- Invalid Application: Your application was deemed "invalid" (e.g., wrong form for your location) and was never processed.
A refusal based on character grounds, insufficient funds, or missing documents does NOT qualify for a refund.
