# Notification of decision

> act-s66 — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

66 Notification of decision
          (1) When the Minister grants or refuses to grant a visa, he or she is to
              notify the applicant of the decision in the prescribed way.
          (2) Notification of a decision to refuse an application for a visa must:
               (a) if the grant of the visa was refused because the applicant did
                    not satisfy a criterion for the visa—specify that criterion; and
               (b) if the grant of the visa was refused because a provision of this
                    Act or the regulations prevented the grant of the visa—
                    specify that provision; and
               (c) unless subsection (3) applies to the application—give written
                    reasons (other than non-disclosable information) why the
                    criterion was not satisfied or the provision prevented the
                    grant of the visa; and
               (d) if the applicant has a right to have the decision reviewed by
                    application under Part 5 or section 500—state:
                      (i) that the decision can be reviewed; and
                     (ii) the time in which the application for review may be
                          made; and
                    (iii) who can apply for the review; and
                    (iv) where the application for review can be made.
          (3) This subsection applies to an application for a visa if:
               (a) the visa is a visa that cannot be granted while the applicant is
                    in the migration zone; and
               (b) this Act does not provide, under Part 5, for an application for
                    review of a decision to refuse to grant the visa.
          (4) Failure to give notification of a decision does not affect the validity
              of the decision.
          (5) This section does not apply to a decision under section 501, 501A,
              501B or 501F to refuse to grant a visa to a person.
               Note:      Sections 501C and 501G provide for notification of a decision under
                          section 501, 501A, 501B or 501F to refuse to grant a visa to a person.










          (6) Section 267 (decision-maker must have regard to rules when
              giving notice of decision) of the ART Act does not apply in
              relation to notifications given under this section.
          (7) Section 268 (requesting reasons for a reviewable decision from
              decision-maker) of the ART Act does not apply in relation to
              decisions to refuse to grant a visa.