What is Public Interest Criterion 4020 (PIC 4020)? 

Public Interest Criterion 4020 is a requirement for the grant of most visas.

Under PIC 4020, a visa might be refused if bogus documents or information that is false or misleading is given to the Department or the AAT.

If that happens the Department of Home Affairs might not grant you a visa for a period of ten years.

The AAT will need to decide whether or not the visa applicant satisfies the below requirements under Public Interest Criterion 4020:

1. there is no evidence they have given, or caused to be given, a bogus document or information that is false or misleading in relation to a visa application or a visa held by them in the 12 months before the application was made
2. they or a family member have not been refused a visa on the basis of (1) in the period starting 3 years immediately before the visa application was made and ending when the visa was granted or refused
3. they satisfy the decision maker as to their identity
4. they or a family member have not been refused a visa on the basis of (3) in the period starting 10 years before the visa application was made and ending when the visa was granted or refused.

If the AAT is not satisfied that the visa applicant meets both (1) and (2), it will first decide whether there are:

• compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia, or
• compassionate or compelling circumstances that affect the interests of an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen that justify the granting of the visa.

The AAT will then decide whether to waive PIC 4020 in light of the above circumstances.

Compelling or compassionate circumstances only apply to (1) and (2) and the circumstances should already exist rather than be related to something that might happen in the future.

You can give the AAT any information that supports your case.

Examples of helpful information to give us in relation to bogus documents or misleading information might include:

• Statements that are signed by you and/or the visa applicant
• Evidence that the information or documents were not given by the visa applicant
• Evidence that any false or misleading information is not relevant to the visa criteria
• Evidence that a document has not been counterfeit or altered, and was not obtained because of a false or misleading statement
• Evidence that information was not false or misleading at the time it was given.

Examples of helpful information to give the AAT in relation to compelling and compassionate circumstances might include:

• Statement that is signed by you and/or the visa applicant
• Evidence of serious family situations, such as the death of a family member
• Evidence family members in Australia would be left without financial or emotional support
• Evidence that a parent in Australia would be separated from their child
• Details of how Australia’s trade or business opportunities or relationship with a foreign government would be impacted if the visa was not granted
• Evidence that if the applicant were not granted a visa then Australia would be deprived of a significant business, economic, cultural, or other development
• Medical reports or welfare issues affecting an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

You should provide this information as soon as possible. If the AAT is satisfied with the information, a favourable decision might be possible without the need for a hearing. This means you might be able to get an outcome to your application sooner.

If you need help to provide the right evidence to request a review with the AAT regarding Public Interest Criterion 4020, fill in the form below to book a consultation with us.