Section 57 — Natural Justice Notices
The Department has invited comment on certain adverse information. Understand exactly what has been raised, why it matters and the permitted response before preparing your explanation.
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Check the notice and response deadline first.
A Department concern is not necessarily a final refusal or cancellation. Identify the exact notice, legal basis and required response before acting.
- Deadlines. Response periods depend on the notice, notification rules and applicable law. Verify the deadline and submission method promptly. Any extension must be available under the process and confirmed; do not assume that requesting one pauses the deadline.
- Status. A Department notice, a response or a waiver request does not itself extend a visa, grant a bridging visa or create work or travel rights. Check the visa actually in effect and its conditions separately.
- Booking. Booking, contacting iExcel or completing visitor registration does not submit a response to the Department, pause a response deadline or extend your visa.
- Documents. If available, the notice and decision-related correspondence, the response deadline, visa details and relevant application records can help. Do not delay first contact while collecting a complete file; documents are not a prerequisite for booking.
Important cautions
- Not every request for information is a section 57 notice, and not every section 57 notice involves PIC 4020.
- An opportunity to comment is not a guarantee against refusal. Do not assume the Department has already reached a final decision either.
- Ignoring the invitation can allow the Department to decide using the available material after the applicable period. Any extension must be confirmed where available.
- An explanation, correction or supporting submission does not guarantee that a concern will be resolved, a waiver exercised or a visa granted. Outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law.
What this page covers
Section 57 concerns a procedural obligation in applicable circumstances. Receiving an invitation to comment is not necessarily a final decision to refuse a visa.
Important distinctions
- Section 56 is different
- A request for further information under section 56 is not the same as a section 57 invitation to comment on certain relevant information. Not every document request or procedural fairness letter is issued under section 57.
- Section 57 is not PIC 4020
- Section 57 concerns procedure; PIC 4020 is a substantive visa criterion. Some matters overlap, but a section 57 notice is not itself a finding of false information or fraud.
- The legal scope matters
- The statutory definition of relevant information, exceptions and application context govern the duty. Do not assume all concerns or all information supplied in your own application require a section 57 notice.
How the process works
- Identify the adverse information, its relevance and the legal basis stated in the correspondence.
- Check the response deadline, notification details and authorised submission method.
- Review the relevant application records and distinguish a factual error from an issue requiring explanation.
- Obtain relevant supporting records or verification and prepare accurate comments addressing the actual concerns.
- Submit within the applicable period and assess the subsequent decision and options separately.
Documents that may help (optional at first contact)
- The notice and the information the Department has disclosed, if available.
- Relevant application records and earlier declarations or correspondence.
- Original records, independent verification or explanations addressing the specific disputed information.
- Relevant documents permitted by the notice and procedure; avoid unrelated or inaccurate material.
How we help
- Review the invitation and distinguish the procedural request from any underlying visa criterion.
- Assess disputed information, relevant application history and supporting evidence.
- Prepare structured migration submissions responding directly to the issues within the required process.
General information, not individual migration advice. Outcomes are never guaranteed. Official sources (links open in a new tab):
About Section 57 — Natural Justice Notices
No. Section 57 is procedural and PIC 4020 is a substantive integrity criterion. Some notices raise PIC 4020 issues, but the two are not interchangeable.
No. Section 56 requests, other procedural fairness processes and section 57 invitations differ. Identify the actual statutory basis and instructions.
Not necessarily. It provides an opportunity to comment in the applicable process. The actual concerns, evidence and criteria must still be assessed.
Relevant comments and evidence may be provided under the notice and applicable procedure. Check the response method and timing rather than assume material can be supplied indefinitely.
The Department may decide using available material under the applicable law. Obtain advice promptly; do not assume a late response, a booking or an extension request protects your position.
Your matter:
Section 57 — Natural Justice Notices.
Selected service · Section 57 — Natural Justice Notices
A consultation assesses your circumstances, discusses realistic options and outlines possible next steps. It is not a visa or review application and not a representation agreement. Any further work, its scope and fees are agreed separately.
- 01Book your appointment
Choose an available appointment time and check the details before confirming.
Book appointment (opens booking page in a new tab) - 02Complete the visitor registration form
After booking, add your details and circumstances for your section 57 — natural justice notices consultation.
Complete registration form (opens in a new tab) - 03Attend your consultation
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