{"id":7122,"date":"2025-09-23T23:14:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T23:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hect.xtechsolution.com.au\/?post_type=visa&#038;p=7122"},"modified":"2025-11-16T05:50:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T05:50:25","slug":"pic-4020","status":"publish","type":"visa","link":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/","title":{"rendered":"PIC 4020"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7122\" class=\"elementor elementor-7122\" data-elementor-post-type=\"visa\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8416016 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8416016\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e97df7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e97df7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PIC 4020<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80ec00f elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80ec00f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p2\">Public Interest Criterion (PIC 4020) stipulates that once an applicant is found to have provided false or misleading documents in a visa application, regardless of whether the application is withdrawn or refused, the applicant may be barred from applying for any Australian visa (except protection visas) for a period of 3 to 10 years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d94f22 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4d94f22\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8cdc9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b8cdc9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About PIC 4020<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b7691f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b7691f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Before 22 March 2014, Australian migration law did not specifically address document fraud. If fraudulent documents were discovered during visa processing, the application would simply be refused.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">From 22 March 2014, if the Department of Home Affairs determined that an applicant provided false documents during the visa process, the applicant could face a ban of 3\u201310 years from applying for an Australian visa. However, if the application was withdrawn before a decision, the applicant would not be affected.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">From 18 November 2017 onwards, once the Department confirms that an applicant has provided false documents in a visa application, a 3\u201310 year bar will apply regardless of whether the visa was withdrawn or refused.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Public Interest Criterion (PIC 4020) aims to curb fraudulent or misleading information in visa applications and ensure their authenticity. PIC 4020 is set out in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Whether the applicant submits the materials directly or through an agent\/lawyer, the Department will consider two key questions:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Did the applicant provide false or misleading information or documents?<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Did the applicant fail to provide sufficient information to establish their identity?<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f50cd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0f50cd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/book-now\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">BOOK A CALL<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50a789c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"50a789c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a3ec42 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0a3ec42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25753f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25753f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b61553 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0b61553\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When PIC 4020 Is Triggered\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-880bdd4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"880bdd4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04c8f0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04c8f0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>PIC 4020 may be triggered in the following circumstances:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\"><b>Bogus Documents<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Documents that are fraudulent, altered, or invalid, such as fake academic transcripts, falsified bank statements, or fabricated employment references.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">It does not matter whether the documents were created by the applicant or provided by someone else\u2014once deemed fraudulent, PIC 4020 is triggered.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\"><b>False or Misleading Information<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">When completing visa applications, supplementary forms, statutory declarations, or interviews, the applicant provides false information, such as fabricated education history, hidden refusals, falsified English test scores, or fake employment experience.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">\u201cMisleading\u201d does not only mean outright falsehoods. Incomplete, inconsistent, or omitted information that prevents immigration officers from making an accurate assessment also falls under this category.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\"><b>Identity Criteria<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Failure to establish the applicant\u2019s true identity (e.g., name, date of birth, nationality).<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">If the Department believes the applicant\u2019s identity is false or unclear, PIC 4020 applies directly and the consequences are even more severe.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\"><b>Key Timeframes<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Before 22 March 2014: Only the current visa application would be refused; no extension to future applications.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">From 22 March 2014 to 18 November 2017: Submitting false documents could lead to a three-year ban, but withdrawing the application before a decision avoided the ban.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">After 18 November 2017: Regardless of withdrawal or refusal, once false documents are submitted, a 3\u201310 year bar applies (except protection visas).<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-167d72d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"167d72d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d436601 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d436601\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a16561a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a16561a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-974f332 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"974f332\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ee51e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3ee51e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Exclusion Period\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-197f816 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"197f816\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f64bbeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f64bbeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p class=\"p1\"><strong>3-Year Ban:<\/strong> If a visa is refused due to the provision of bogus documents or false\/misleading information, the applicant and their accompanying family members will generally be barred from applying for most Australian visas for 3 years (waivers may apply in limited circumstances).<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\"><strong>10-Year Ban:<\/strong> If a visa is refused because the applicant cannot establish their identity, the applicant will be barred from applying for any Australian visa (except protection visas) for 10 years, with no possibility of a waiver.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27d246d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"27d246d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30b36d3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"30b36d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-439f66d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"439f66d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-357beb9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"357beb9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e53a0f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e53a0f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bogus Documents &amp; False Info<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c43acb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8c43acb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ae2997 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6ae2997\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a bogus document?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aabafb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aabafb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Bogus documents are any materials submitted in a visa application that do not reflect the truth, such as:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Fake passports, ID cards, or birth certificates;<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Fake transcripts, marriage\/divorce certificates;<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Fake bank statements, utility bills;<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Fake notarised certificates or reference letters.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d97f177 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d97f177\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is false or misleading information?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c267f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c267f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">False or misleading information is not limited to outright fabrication; it also includes omissions or incomplete disclosures, for example:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"p1\">Falsified work experience;<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Incorrect answers to immigration questions;<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Misrepresenting personal relationships (e.g., spouse, parents);<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"p1\">Omitting important information (e.g., failing to declare a biological child).<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f1c6d7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3f1c6d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0923cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a0923cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common Mistakes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76da557 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76da557\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p><b>If the migration agent submitted fake documents, can the applicant be excused?<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><p>No. Even if the applicant was unaware, the Department of Home Affairs holds the applicant responsible. If the applicant can prove complete lack of knowledge, they may sue the agent separately, but this does not remove the effect of PIC 4020.<\/p><\/li><li><p><b style=\"text-wrap-mode: initial;\">If all documents are genuine, will PIC 4020 never apply?<\/b><\/p><p>Not necessarily. Documents must be both genuine and verifiable. For instance, in employer-sponsored visas, if the Department cannot contact the employer or verify the applicant\u2019s employment, even genuine documents may be treated as bogus.<\/p><\/li><li><p><b>What if important information is omitted?<\/b><b><\/b><\/p><p>Omissions of critical facts also count as misleading. For example, if an applicant applying for a partner visa fails to declare a non-marital child, and later attempts to sponsor the child, the inconsistency may trigger PIC 4020.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4674a8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f4674a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95d7476 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"95d7476\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77ad6ce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77ad6ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c4e387 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c4e387\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b79dfd7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b79dfd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Exemption\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91ab36b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"91ab36b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95f8097 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"95f8097\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Can PIC 4020 Be Waived?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-950aeea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"950aeea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">If the applicant is in Australia, they may appeal to the ART. At the ART stage, if they can prove there was no intention to mislead or deceive during the entire application process and ultimately succeed in the ART appeal, the case may be sent back to the Department for reassessment, and PIC 4020 may be set aside.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">If the applicant is outside Australia or has no appeal rights, they must show in their next visa application that there are compelling and compassionate circumstances, and that granting the visa is in the interests of Australia or Australians. In such rare cases, the decision-maker may decide not to apply PIC 4020.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5968c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5968c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d463c52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d463c52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u5e38\u89c1\u95ee\u9898<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7f655e elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"e7f655e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2430\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2430\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Will minor mistakes, like spelling errors, trigger PIC 4020? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2430\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee8b72b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee8b72b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0303311 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0303311\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">No. Only errors with \u201cmaterial impact\u201d are considered false or misleading. Minor typos or non-critical mistakes generally won\u2019t trigger PIC 4020.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2431\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2431\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If my agent forged documents without my knowledge, will PIC 4020 still apply? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2431\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70d518f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70d518f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ad6af4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ad6af4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes. The Department considers applicants responsible for all documents in their application, regardless of whether they were aware of the forgery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2432\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2432\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If I withdraw my visa application, can PIC 4020 still be triggered? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2432\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad7f486 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ad7f486\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-049b121 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"049b121\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Withdrawal does not, by itself, \u201ctrigger\u201d PIC 4020\u2014but it does not protect you.<\/span> If you provided <span class=\"s1\">bogus documents or false\/misleading information<\/span> in a <span class=\"s1\">withdrawn application<\/span>, the Department may still refuse a <span class=\"s1\">later application within 3 years<\/span> under PIC 4020. Whether it can apply to the <span class=\"s1\">withdrawn application itself<\/span> depends on whether a <span class=\"s1\">finding had already been formed<\/span> before withdrawal. In short, <span class=\"s1\">withdrawal \u2260 immunity<\/span>; what matters is whether false\/misleading information was given and whether the Department can prove it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2433\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2433\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What\u2019s the difference between the 3-year and 10-year bans under PIC 4020? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2433\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72ee6b7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72ee6b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bf0f1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0bf0f1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">The 3-year bar applies to false documents or misleading information; the 10-year bar applies when identity cannot be proven and is non-waivable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2434\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2434\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If my documents are genuine but the Department cannot verify them, will they be treated as bogus? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2434\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f98712 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4f98712\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a22ebd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a22ebd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes. Authenticity must be verifiable. If documents cannot be confirmed (e.g., employer unreachable, contact details invalid), they may be treated as bogus.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2435\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"6\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2435\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If my visa is refused under PIC 4020, can I appeal? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2435\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee5d2e4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee5d2e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c89d656 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c89d656\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes, if you are in Australia, you can generally appeal to the ART. If offshore, appeal rights are very limited.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2436\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"7\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2436\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If I fail to declare a biological child, will PIC 4020 be triggered? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2436\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f26a160 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f26a160\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b36041c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b36041c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes. Omitting key family information, like a biological child, is considered misleading and may trigger PIC 4020.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2437\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"8\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2437\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How hard is it to get a waiver for PIC 4020? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2437\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f832d37 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f832d37\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7eea328 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7eea328\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">It is difficult, but not impossible. You need to provide strong and specific evidence showing that this was not systemic dishonesty, but rather a one-off, explainable, and remedied mistake, supported by a consistent and credible history.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2438\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"9\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2438\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Does PIC 4020 apply to secondary applicants too? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2438\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-715a753 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"715a753\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12e7afc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12e7afc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes. If either the primary or secondary applicant triggers PIC 4020, the entire application is affected.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2439\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"10\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2439\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> If I\u2019m refused under PIC 4020, can I ever apply for a permanent visa again? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2439\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8f0767 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c8f0767\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a639781 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a639781\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Yes. The bar mostly applies to temporary visas. You may still apply for permanent visas, but the Department will scrutinize your integrity very closely.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bd9b71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bd9b71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\"><b>\u6ce8\u610f\uff1a<\/b><\/span> \u672c\u5e38\u89c1\u95ee\u9898\u4ec5\u4f9b\u4e00\u822c\u4fe1\u606f\u53c2\u8003\uff0c\u5e76\u4e0d\u6784\u6210\u6cd5\u5f8b\u5efa\u8bae\u3002\u76f8\u5173\u89c4\u5b9a\uff08\u4f8b\u5982\u8d44\u683c\u6d4b\u8bd5\u3001\u8c41\u514d\u6761\u4ef6\u53ca\u8bc1\u636e\u8981\u6c42\uff09\u53ef\u80fd\u968f\u65f6\u8c03\u6574\uff1b\u5728\u9012\u4ea4\u7533\u8bf7\u524d\uff0c\u8bf7\u52a1\u5fc5\u67e5\u9605\u6700\u65b0\u7684\u6cd5\u5f8b\u6587\u4e66\uff0c\u6216\u54a8\u8be2\u4e13\u4e1a\u79fb\u6c11\u4ee3\u7406\u3002<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PIC 4020 Public Interest Criterion (PIC 4020) stipulates that once an applicant is found to have provided false or misleading documents in a visa application, regardless of whether the application is withdrawn or refused, the applicant may be barred from applying for any Australian visa (except protection visas) for a period of 3 to 10 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":337,"template":"","categories":[12],"tags":[683],"class_list":["post-7122","visa","type-visa","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-visa-conditions-and-waivers","tag-pic-4020-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-16T05:50:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hect.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_bay.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1104\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/\",\"name\":\"PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/img_bay.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-23T23:14:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-16T05:50:25+00:00\",\"description\":\"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/img_bay.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/img_bay.png\",\"width\":1104,\"height\":400},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/visa\\\/pic-4020\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hect.com.au\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"PIC 4020\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/\",\"name\":\"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"HECT\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts\",\"alternateName\":\"HECT\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/logo_header.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/logo_header.png\",\"width\":488,\"height\":142,\"caption\":\"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/outweb.com.au\\\/hect12june\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts","description":"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts","og_description":"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.","og_url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/","og_site_name":"HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts","article_modified_time":"2025-11-16T05:50:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1104,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/hect.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_bay.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/","url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/","name":"PIC 4020 - HECT Migration &amp; Appeal Experts","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_bay.png","datePublished":"2025-09-23T23:14:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-11-16T05:50:25+00:00","description":"Understand Public Interest Criterion\u202f4020 (PIC\u202f4020) \u2014 HECT explains how providing false or misleading information, bogus documents, or failing to prove your identity can lead to visa refusal, potential 3\u2011 to 10\u2011year bans, and how you may apply for a waiver under compelling or compassionate circumstances.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_bay.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_bay.png","width":1104,"height":400},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/visa\/pic-4020\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/hect.com.au\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"PIC 4020"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#website","url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/","name":"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#organization"},"alternateName":"HECT","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#organization","name":"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts","alternateName":"HECT","url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/logo_header.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/logo_header.png","width":488,"height":142,"caption":"HECT Migration & Appeal Experts"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa\/7122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/visa"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa\/7122\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outweb.com.au\/hect12june\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}