We spoke to three migration experts and got their advice on partnership, family, work, study and business visa applications.
Every year, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection receives thousands of work, family, student and migrant visas - many will be successful, but thousands will be knocked back.
Some applications will be refused because of fraud or ineligibility, but a number are denied due to innocent mistakes, inconsistencies or misunderstandings.
Applying for a business, partner, family, study or work visa can be a complex, demanding process - and its important to get it right.
People can end up wasting thousands of dollars on migration fees, and six to eight months of their time, says migration agent Zeke Bentley, who runs The Migration Place in Brisbane.
Glenn Rayner, from My Migration Agent in Adelaide, says the Department of Immigration has become much stricter since 9/11 in 2001.
It can be difficult to communicate with the Department to resolve issues, he says, you used to be able to call the assessors up and have a chat, now you cant do that.
Fellow migration agent Rowena Prasad from Migration Downunder in Sydney, says that submitting the forms is just a small part of the process, and its important to be aware of exactly what the Department is looking for and how the system works.
After years of experience and hundreds of clients, here's their advice for giving yourself the best chance at success.
