Best Lawyers in Australia for Immigration Law
Practice Area Overview
Australian immigration law is a dynamic area of practice. The immigration landscape frequently shifts based on the political, economic, and social conditions in Australia, as well as in key migrant source countries. As the Migration Act provides a legal framework for changes in law and policy to be more rapidly made by regulations and legislative instruments, there can be a high level of legislative and policy change. As a result, practitioners typically focus on immigration law as a singular and specialized practice area, including merits and judicial review of migration decisions.
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs are responsible for the immigration, citizenship, and customs border portfolios in Australia, which are administered through the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (or another Minister appointed to administer the Migration Act) has a broad number of personal and ‘non-compellable’ powers under the Act.
Australia’s permanent migration program is tightly controlled by the government, with strict visa planning levels set each financial year. Conversely, the temporary visa program is largely demand driven and fluctuates based on Australia’s economic conditions and immigration policies as well as conditions in source countries.
In general, the permanent migration program is comprised of the:
- Skilled migration program
- Family migration program
- Special eligibility program
- Humanitarian program for asylum seekers and refugees
- Most temporary residents in Australia are either:
- Visitors for tourism or business purposes
- New Zealand citizens, who can freely travel to and remain temporarily in Australia under a long-standing reciprocal Trans-Tasman travel arrangement
- Students
- Working holiday makers
- Sponsored Temporary Work (subclass 457) visa holders, or more recently, Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa holders
Australian immigration law has a strong compliance focus. All non-Australian citizens require an appropriate visa to enter and remain in Australia, and are subject to detention and removal from Australia should they overstay or have their visa cancelled. Specific immigration bars also may be imposed in these circumstances, including a permanent ban for visas cancelled on ‘character’ grounds.
Australian employers are subject to strict civil and in some cases, criminal, penalties if found to employ a non-citizen without a visa or in breach of visa conditions. Employers sponsoring foreign workers under temporary work programs are also subject to additional sponsorship obligations which, if breached, can lead to significant financial penalties for both individuals and the sponsoring business.
Information sharing is common between the Department and other government agencies such as the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Tax Office, the Australian Securities and Investments Commissions, and the Australian Federal Police. This requires visa holders and sponsoring employers to have robust processes in place to ensure that they remain compliant with Australia’s immigration laws.
Recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of New South Wales, Lillian has been practising law since 1997. Lillian is admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia. Lillian’s experience in the field of immigration is extensive – from employer-sponsored work visas, entertainment and distinguished talent visas, partner and family migration, through to tribunal appeals, representations to the Australi...
Dr. Rodger Fernandez is a Senior Lawyer at FCG Legal Pty Ltd and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. He is also admitted to practice as a solicitor in New South Wales and is accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist Solicitor in Immigration Law. He has been in legal practice for over 30 years. He is the current Chairperson of the Advisory Committee to the Specialisation Board of the Law Institute of Victoria in immig...
Carina is the Managing Partner of a large immigration law practice in Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria. She is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist, New Zealand Licenced Immigration Adviser and was the winner of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Paul Baker Award in 2017. She was awarded Best Lawyers in Immigration 2022 and 2024, Melbourne and Lawyers Weekly, “Partner of the Year’ -Immigration for 2022. She is a regular presenter of CPD topics in immigration law for a range of ...
Rick joined Carina Ford Lawyers in 2005 having previously worked as a commercial litigation lawyer at Middletons Lawyers, Melbourne (now K&L Gates). He is a practicing lawyer, and also an LIV Accredited Immigration Law Specialist. Rick has extensive experience with all areas of migration law, including skilled migration, business migration (in particular TSS, ENS and RSMS applications), complex appeals and family migration.He is a regular presenter of migration law Continuing Professional...
Kim is an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, and Principal Lawyer at WPM Lawyers' Hobart office. Highly regarded for finding strategic solutions for clients in complex or unique situations, Kim has particular experience navigating the skilled, employer sponsored and temporary activity visa frameworks. Kim also assists clients in complex situations including visa refusal and cancellation matters, and review applications in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Kim’s passion for hel...
Dessie has always had a passion for immigration law and during her career she worked in Europe and Australia. While she initially gained a Bachelor of Law from Sofia University, Bulgaria she followed this up with a Master of Law and Legal Practice from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and a Graduate Certificate in European Law and Legal Systems from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. She was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and t...
Michael has over 30 years of experience in immigration law and has been recognised as an Accredited Specialist in immigration law by the New South Wales Law Society since 1998. He is an Associate Fellow of the Migration Institute of Australia, a member of the New South Wales Law Society committee for Accredited specialists in Immigration law, Chairman of the Conduct Panel for the Migration Institute of Australia and member of The Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries. Michael is also...
Joanne Kinslor is a specialist immigration lawyer who has extensive experience and exceptional knowledge of immigration law. Her clients appreciate her dedication to solving complex immigration problems and winning difficult cases. Joanne has been accredited as an immigration specialist by the Law Society of New South Wales since 2006. There are fewer than 40 accredited immigration solicitors in New South Wales. Joanne is Course Convenor and Principal Lecturer of “Australian Immigration...
Marial Lewis is one of Australia's top immigration lawyers. She is an accredited specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of NSW as well as two times winner of the prestigious Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 in 2021 and 2022 and the 2020 John Gibson Award - Young Migration Lawyer of the year by the Law Council of Australia. She was also named as a finalist in various national awards including, Partner of the year in migration and innovation, rising star of the year for the Australasian Law...
Sasko is a Partner in Fragomen’s Sydney office. He has practiced in immigration law for over eighteen years, and has provided Australian immigration advice and assistance to Australian and international businesses across a wide range of industry sectors. His clients include world leaders in sectors such as ICT, FMCG, pharmaceutical, and management consulting. Sasko has also advised many start-up organizations with visa and immigration requirements. In addition, he has extensive experien...
Lily Ong is originally from Malaysia and migrated to Australia in the 1980s. Lily obtained degrees in Economics and Law from Monash University. Admitted as a solicitor in 1989, Lily practiced with the Sydney firms Dunhill Morgan and Phillips Fox prior to relocating to Melbourne where she now resides. Lily opened her practice in 2000 and utilises her skills as an LIV accredited specialist immigration lawyer with a strong focus on Business Migration to assist clients daily. Lily enjoys a strong...
Sherene Ozyurek is a Senior Lawyer at FCG Legal Pty Ltd and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. She is also admitted to practice as a solicitor in New South Wales and is accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist Solicitor in Immigration Law. Sherene is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law, Victoria University, College of Law and Justice and practises in the areas of Immigration Law. She has taught Immigration Law fo...
Valerie Da Gama Pereira is Principal Lawyer of Da Gama Pereira & Associates P/L. She is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist Profile Chair - June 2021 to June 2023 - Law Council of Australia – Immigration Section Head of the firm Da Gama Pereira & Associates P/L· Accredited Specialist in Australian Immigration Law (LIV)· Ex Deputy Chair of Administrative Law and Human Rights Committee, Law Institute of Victoria Ex Chair of the Migration Law Committee, Law Insti...
Since 1995 David Prince has practiced extensively in all areas of visa applications, merits review and judicial review, and has established a reputation for successfully solving difficult immigration cases. He is regularly consulted by barristers, solicitors and migration agents on complex issues of immigration law. David has been accredited as an immigration specialist by the Law Society of New South Wales since 2000. There are fewer than 40 accredited immigration solicitors in New South Wal...
Chris is a Partner of the Australian Practice of Fragomen and has responsibility for the Melbourne office, in addition to leading the firm’s Advisory, Compliance and Government Relations Group and the Professional Practices Group. He is also heavily involved in the management and development of operations across all Australian offices. Chris is currently the Chair of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria in addition to being an Accredited Immigration Law Specialis...
Admitted to legal practice in 2002, Farid is an Accredited Specialist inImmigration Law , included in the Best Lawyers in Australia list for Immigration Law since 2013; included in the Best Lawyers in Australia list for Human Rights Law since 2014, and included on the Doyle’s Guide’s 2021 inaugural list of Leading Immigration Lawyers in NSW. Farid has advised and assisted with applications for a very wide range of visas and other approvals under the Australian immigration law, inc...
Kathryn Viegas is a Director of Nomos Legal, a law firm specialising in the provision of Australian immigration law advice. She has practised immigration law since 2003. She represents a wide range of clients, including not-for-profit organisations, businesses and individuals. She regularly provides specialist advice to applicants with complex immigration needs, including applicants who have medical conditions or have allegedly committed fraud, those seeking review of a decision or Ministeria...
As an experienced commercial lawyer, Robert has significant experience in providing immigration and other legal advice and visa services to Australian and multinational companies in sectors such as financial services, mining and resources (including off-shore oil and gas), information technology and telecommunications, retail, science and engineering, and health. Robert served as the firm’s Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific from 2011 to 2016 and Managing Partner of the Australi...
Perry Q Wood is Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia’s leading administrative and migration lawyers. Consistently ranked by Doyle’s, he is recognised as one of Australia's best migration lawyers. He practises in all aspects of Australian migration law, acting for both corporate and individual clients, including in crimmigration and deportation matters. Mr Wood is a former Senior Member / Practice Leader of Australia's admi...
Cherie is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist and has focused on immigration exclusively since 2000. She has extensive experience in corporate migration across a range of industry sectors as well as private client matters, including complex health and character issues. Cherie provides immigration guidance on a wide range of scenarios. This includes advising start-ups, small and medium enterprises, government agencies and international and major corporations regarding appropriate visa man...
Phillip is the principal solicitor and director of Phillip Yip & Associates Pty Ltd. He and his team practise solely in Australian immigration law and specialise in representing overseas and local employers for work permits and permanent residence for employees to work and live in Australia. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to boutique niche businesses and startups that operate across all major and emerging industries. Phillip also specialises in family sponsored, independent ...
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