What is a submission?
A submission should explain why you disagree with the Department’s decision, and/or identify any claim or matter that you think the Department overlooked.
You do not need to repeat information you have already provided to the Department, or to recite the law.
If your submission includes new information, you should clearly identify which parts are new. This helps to ensure that your submission complies with the Practice Direction. You can do this in the submission, or in your new information explanation. For more detail about new information explanations, see What is a ‘new information explanation’?
Is there a timeframe for providing submissions?
Yes. Submissions should be made within 21 days of the date of the referral.
You can find the date of referral on the ‘Acknowledgment of Referral’ letter we send to you when we receive your case from the Department.
Why do I only have 21 days to provide a submission?
The 21 day time period provides you with an opportunity to make a submission, while balancing the requirement for the IAA to conduct a quick and efficient review.
What if I can’t provide a submission within 21 days?
You can contact the IAA to request additional time to make a submission. Extension requests should made in writing. It is important that you:
- explain why you are unable to provide the submission within 21 days
- tell us when you expect to provide the submission
- include any supporting evidence about why you require the extension.
These details help us to decide whether or not to allow an extension of time in your case.
What if my submission is late?
We may not accept late submissions.
Is there a page limit on submissions?
The Practice Direction contains requirements for the length and formatting of submissions. Submissions must be no longer than 5 A4 pages.
Are there any other requirements for submissions?
The Practice Direction requires that submissions, including footnotes, must be easily legible when printed. You must use a font size of at least 11 point with standard margins of at least 2.54cm.
What if my submission is over 5 pages?
We may not accept submissions that are longer than 5 pages. In some circumstances, the IAA may decide to return the submission to you so that you can provide a compliant submission.
Why does the IAA limit submissions to 5 pages?
The 5 page limit encourages you to focus your submissions on the most relevant and important issues you wish to raise and your specific concerns with the Department’s decision. This helps us to decide your case efficiently and quickly.
Can I provide more than one submission?
If you provide more than one submission we will determine whether the submissions together meet the requirements of the Practice Direction, which include that submissions are no more than 5 pages.
We may not accept submissions which do not meet these requirements. If you provide a further submission, you should clarify if it is intended to replace the earlier submission.
Do I need to provide a submission?
No, there is no requirement that you provide a submission.
I made a combined visa application with other members of my family. Can I provide a longer submission for my family’s application?
Each member of the family may make a 5 page submission. Any submissions you give to us should clearly identify the applicant or applicants it relates to.