Form MR5: Appointment of Representative — Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
Form MR5 is the official form used to appoint a representative to act on your behalf in proceedings before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), specifically in the Migration and Refugee Division. If your visa has been refused or cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs and you are seeking review at the ART, this form tells the tribunal who is authorised to represent you, receive correspondence, and make submissions on your behalf. The ART (which replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024) has its own appointment process that is separate from the Department of Home Affairs — a Form 956 on file with the Department does not carry over to the tribunal.
When do you need Form MR5?
You need Form MR5 whenever you apply for review of an immigration decision at the ART and wish to be represented. This includes reviews of visa refusals, visa cancellations, and other reviewable decisions under the Migration Act. The form should be lodged at the same time as your application for review (Form M1 or R1), or as soon as possible after lodging. If you do not lodge Form MR5, the tribunal will communicate directly with you, and you will need to handle all correspondence, submissions, and hearing preparation yourself.
Where to obtain Form MR5
Form MR5 is available from the ART website at art.gov.au under the Forms section. It is not available from the Department of Home Affairs website. This is a common source of confusion — applicants sometimes lodge a Form 956 with the tribunal, which is the wrong form. The ART will not accept Form 956 as an appointment of representative for tribunal proceedings. You must use Form MR5.
The difference between Form 956 and Form MR5
Form 956 appoints your representative for Department of Home Affairs matters (visa applications, cancellation responses, ministerial intervention requests). Form MR5 appoints your representative for ART tribunal matters (reviews of departmental decisions). These are completely separate appointments with separate bodies. If your visa is refused and you appeal to the ART, you need both: Form 956 remains on file with the Department, and Form MR5 is lodged with the tribunal. Your immigration lawyer will typically prepare and lodge both forms.
Changing representatives during tribunal proceedings
If you need to change your representative during ART proceedings, you must lodge a new Form MR5 with the tribunal. The new form automatically revokes the previous appointment. It is critical to do this promptly — the tribunal will continue to send all correspondence to the representative on the most recent Form MR5 on file. If you are between representatives, notify the tribunal immediately so that correspondence is sent directly to you in the interim.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lodging Form 956 with the ART instead of Form MR5 (the tribunal will not accept it)
- Not lodging Form MR5 at all — meaning the tribunal sends critical notices directly to the applicant
- Downloading an outdated version of the form (always use the current version from art.gov.au)
- Not updating Form MR5 when changing representatives during proceedings
- Confusing the ART with the old AAT — the tribunal changed name on 14 October 2024 but the form and process remain similar
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form MR5 the same as the old AAT appointment form?
The ART replaced the AAT on 14 October 2024. The Form MR5 serves the same purpose as the old AAT appointment of representative form. If you have an existing matter that was transferred from the AAT to the ART, your previous appointment should carry over, but it is good practice to confirm with the tribunal and lodge a fresh Form MR5 if there is any doubt.
Do I need both Form 956 and Form MR5?
If you have a matter before both the Department of Home Affairs and the ART (which is common when a visa refusal is being reviewed), then yes, you need both. Form 956 covers the departmental side and Form MR5 covers the tribunal side. Your immigration lawyer will prepare both forms for you.
Can I represent myself at the ART without lodging Form MR5?
Yes. You have the right to represent yourself at the ART. If you choose to do so, you do not need to lodge Form MR5. However, I strongly recommend professional representation for immigration tribunal matters — the stakes are high, the law is complex, and the tribunal process has strict procedural requirements that are easy to miss without experience.
Need help with Form MR5?
Book a consultation and I will review your form before you submit.