Just waiting for a refund

Our client requested a refund of the Visa Application Charge (VAC) following a nomination refusal. This request is clearly supported by Legislative Instrument 2.12F2 (items 2A–2B), which provides that a refund of the prepaid visa application charge is payable where a nomination has been refused and the visa application cannot be approved as a result.

The refund request was lodged over three months ago.

After multiple follow-up emails and phone calls, the response from the Department of Home Affairs has been generic and frustrating:

“There is no standard timeframe for processing refunds. If approved, allow a minimum of six weeks for payment after approval.”

The reality:

• No service standard
• No written status updates
• Phone calls as the only escalation pathway
• Funds effectively frozen, even when eligibility is clear
  

The administration and accountability gap is staggering, and in the meantime, $7,600 remains in limbo.

#AustralianImmigration #Subclass482 #EmployerSponsoredVisas #MigrationAgents #VisaProcessing #Educli