Section 501 visa cancellation — Under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) a non-citizen’s visa may
be cancelled if they do not pass the character test. The character test is defined in the section 501(6) of the
Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
The most common cause of failure of the character test is having a substantial criminal record. Most non-citizens
who fail the character test will do so as a result of having been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12
months or more. There can be multiple terms of imprisonment which together add up to 12 months or more.
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) — SMART Recovery is an evidence-based recovery
method grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), that supports people with substance
dependencies or problem behaviours to build and maintain motivation, cope with urges and cravings, manage
thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and lead a balanced life.
Status resolution — Status resolution officers manage people in detention or the community, including
unlawful non-citizens and Bridging Visa E holders, to resolve their immigration status through grant of a
substantive visa or departure from Australia. Status resolution officers can explain a person’s visa options and
how decisions they make now can affect their options later on. They can also help plan their departure from
Australia and refer people to other services where necessary.
Unauthorised Maritime Arrival (UMA) — An UMA is a person who entered Australia by sea without authority
and became an unlawful non-citizen upon entry. All babies born to UMA parents are also UMAs.
Unlawful non-citizen — A non-citizen who is in Australia without a valid visa. An unlawful non-citizen must be
detained under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
VIDC — Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.
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Not just an afterthoughtThe experience of women in immigration detention