Best Deportation & Removal Defense Lawyers in Perth

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Rebus Legal
Perth, Australia

Founded in 2017
5 people in their team
English
Rebus Legal is your way forwardVision StatementRebus Legal believes that accessible, affordable and high quality legal services should be available to all - without the need for client satisfaction to be compromised.Our philosophy of ‘supportive expertise’ represents the culture of our firm.We...

Founded in 2014
English
Estrin Saul Lawyers and Migration Specialists is Western Australia's largest specialist immigration law firm, offering over 20 years of dedicated experience in Australian immigration law. The firm provides comprehensive services across various visa categories, including skilled migration, family...

1 person in their team
English
Saharan Family & Criminal Lawyers in Perth specializes in family law, criminal law, employment law, personal injury law and migration law, leveraging Rajesh Saharan's extensive practice across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. The firm combines courtroom experience with...
Tan & Tan Lawyers
Perth, Australia

Founded in 1984
50 people in their team
English
Chinese
We are proud to show how Tan and Tan Lawyers have evolved all these years. Both Charles and Raymond Tan migrated from Singapore to practice law in Western Australia.From our family’s humble beginnings in Singapore and our migration to Australia, we have been proud of our achievements in helping...
TANG LAW
Perth, Australia

Founded in 2002
25 people in their team
English
Chinese
Vietnamese
Dutch
French
Arabic
German
Russian
Spanish
Our Philosophy Our team of lawyers are all professionally qualified and admitted to practice in Western Australia. Whilst our services are wide-ranging, we specialize particularly in the areas of Civil Litigation, Wills and Estates, Family Law, Commercial Law, Migration Law and Property and...
GLP Lawyers International
Perth, Australia

Founded in 1984
21 people in their team
English
GLP Lawyers International presents itself as a full service corporate and commercial legal practice with cross-border capabilities connecting clients across Australia and Malaysia. The firm emphasizes assembling a team of experienced lawyers, consultants, and advisors to support clients with...
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What a Perth immigration lawyer can do in a removal case

In Perth, removal matters usually involve visa cancellation, immigration detention, an unlawful status, or a direction to leave Australia. The Department of Home Affairs may assess whether a person can remain, while review bodies and courts apply different legal tests.

A lawyer can examine the cancellation decision, identify review rights, prepare evidence, and advise on bridging visa options. They may also address detention, character concerns, family circumstances, protection claims, and the practical risk of removal to a particular country.

Time limits can be short and vary according to the decision. A person should obtain the written decision, note the date and method of notification, and seek advice promptly from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.

When you may need legal representation in Perth

  • Your visa has been cancelled on character grounds. This can follow a conviction, imprisonment, alleged association, or information relied upon under the character provisions of the Migration Act.
  • You received a notice requiring you to show why cancellation should not occur. A detailed response may need legal submissions, court records, rehabilitation evidence, and information about family and community ties in Western Australia.
  • You are detained or considered an unlawful non-citizen. A lawyer can assess possible visa applications, detention-review options, identity issues, and whether removal is legally or practically imminent.
  • You fear persecution or serious harm if returned. Protection visa claims require evidence about the applicant's circumstances and the conditions in the proposed country of return.
  • You missed a review deadline or received an adverse review decision. The available remedy may involve the Administrative Review Tribunal, ministerial intervention, or judicial review, depending on the decision and the error alleged.
  • You have a partner, children, or long-term residence in Perth. Family relationships and Australian ties may be relevant to submissions, but they do not automatically prevent cancellation or removal.

Key Australian laws affecting removal and visa cancellation

The Migration Act 1958 (Cth) is the central statute. It governs visas, visa cancellation, unlawful non-citizens, detention, removal, character requirements, protection obligations, and judicial review of migration decisions. Its character-cancellation provisions have been amended several times, including by the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Act 2021, which commenced in December 2021.

The Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), which commenced in 1994, contain visa criteria, application procedures, bridging visa rules, review-related provisions, and other detailed requirements. The applicable criteria depend on the visa subclass and the decision being challenged.

The Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) may apply where a decision is challenged for legal error, denial of procedural fairness, or another recognised ground. Judicial review does not usually allow a court to substitute its preferred migration decision, and it is different from merits review.

Frequently asked questions about removal and visa cancellation in Perth

Can a lawyer stop my removal from Australia?

A lawyer cannot guarantee that removal will stop. They can identify available applications, review rights, injunction options, and evidence that may lawfully delay or prevent removal.

What should I do after receiving a visa cancellation notice?

Read the notice carefully and record the notification date. Do not ignore requests for comments or review instructions, because the response or appeal period may be short.

Can I appeal a visa cancellation decision?

Some decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal, while others have different review pathways or no ordinary merits-review right. The notice should identify the relevant pathway, but independent legal advice can clarify eligibility and deadlines.

What is the difference between merits review and judicial review?

Merits review asks an authorised review body to reconsider the facts, evidence, and legal outcome. Judicial review generally examines whether the decision-maker acted lawfully, followed required procedures, and stayed within power.

Can I apply for a bridging visa while my case is unresolved?

Possibly, depending on your current status, previous visa history, and the application or review on foot. A bridging visa may include work, reporting, residence, or travel conditions, so its terms should be checked carefully.

How long does a removal case take in Perth?

There is no standard timeframe. A straightforward written response may take weeks, while tribunal proceedings, court applications, identity checks, ministerial requests, or protection claims can take months or longer.

How much does a removal defence lawyer cost?

Fees depend on detention, urgency, evidence, hearings, interpreters, and whether tribunal or court proceedings are required. Ask for a written costs agreement explaining the hourly rates, fixed fees, likely disbursements, and what happens if the work expands.

Can Legal Aid WA represent me in an immigration matter?

Legal Aid WA's assistance depends on its current service policies, funding, and the type of matter. Contact it promptly to ask whether advice or representation is available, and do not assume that a pending application pauses a removal deadline.

Does having Australian children prevent deportation?

Australian children and family relationships may be important evidence, particularly in character or ministerial submissions. They do not automatically create a right to remain or prevent mandatory cancellation or removal.

Can a criminal conviction lead to visa cancellation?

Yes. The character test and related cancellation provisions can apply to convictions, imprisonment, and other information, depending on the facts and the relevant visa. A lawyer may present sentencing material, rehabilitation evidence, and evidence about the consequences of removal.

Can I be removed while a review application is pending?

Sometimes, because lodging a review does not always create an automatic bar to removal. The person must check the applicable visa and review rules, maintain lawful status where possible, and obtain urgent advice if removal arrangements have been made.

Official resources for removal matters in Perth

  • Department of Home Affairs: administers visa applications, visa cancellation, immigration detention, compliance, and removal. Its notices and online services identify the decision-maker, applicable deadlines, and available contact channels.
  • Administrative Review Tribunal: reviews eligible migration and protection decisions on their merits. The tribunal replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024, and its migration jurisdiction includes matters allocated under the current legislation.
  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia: deals with eligible judicial review applications in migration matters. Its Western Australia registry is in Perth, but filing in court does not automatically stop removal.

Steps to find and hire a removal defence lawyer in Perth

  1. Secure the documents immediately. Collect the visa cancellation notice, review notice, passport, visa grant letters, court documents, detention paperwork, and any removal notification on the same day if possible.
  2. Check the deadline and current status. Confirm whether the person is lawful, detained, subject to reporting, or facing arranged removal. Treat any stated deadline as urgent rather than waiting for a general appointment.
  3. Search for an Australian legal practitioner or registered migration agent. Verify the practitioner's current registration and ask whether they regularly handle character cancellation, detention, protection, tribunal review, or judicial review in Western Australia.
  4. Arrange an urgent assessment. A first consultation will usually identify the decision type, available pathway, immediate visa concerns, evidence gaps, and whether removal creates an emergency requiring same-day action.
  5. Compare the proposed strategy and costs. Ask what work is included, who will appear at any hearing, what evidence is required, likely disbursements, and whether advice is available if the first application or review fails.
  6. Sign a written costs agreement and authority. Provide complete instructions, including convictions, previous visa refusals, aliases, family circumstances, and prior immigration representations.
  7. Follow every condition and evidence request. Attend reporting appointments, comply with bridging visa conditions, keep contact details current, and provide requested documents promptly while the lawyer monitors the matter.

Lawzana helps you find the best lawyers and law firms in Perth through a curated and pre-screened list of qualified legal professionals. Our platform offers rankings and detailed profiles of attorneys and law firms, allowing you to compare based on practice areas, including Deportation & Removal Defense, experience, and client feedback.

Each profile includes a description of the firm's areas of practice, client reviews, team members and partners, year of establishment, spoken languages, office locations, contact information, social media presence, and any published articles or resources. Most firms on our platform speak English and are experienced in both local and international legal matters.

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Disclaimer:

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, legal information may change over time, and interpretations of the law can vary. You should always consult with a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.

We disclaim all liability for actions taken or not taken based on the content of this page. If you believe any information is incorrect or outdated, please contact us, and we will review and update it where appropriate.