

Nicholas Poynder
Barrister
After graduating from the University of Tasmania in 1983 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Nicholas was admitted to legal practice in Hobart in September 1984 and began his career as a litigation solicitor with Gunson Pickard and Hann. He later moved interstate and has spent more than three decades practising as a barrister across Australia.
Nicholas has appeared in courts and tribunals nationwide, including the High Court of Australia, and has more than 40 years’ experience in immigration and anti‑discrimination law. He has been listed in the Australian Financial Review’s Best Lawyers in Australia – Immigration every year since 2012. His career includes extensive work in human rights, refugee law, and public interest litigation, along with serving as a Senior Legal Officer at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Originally from Tasmania, Nicholas has now returned home and is based in Hobart, practising from Rosny Chambers. He continues to represent clients throughout Australia, bringing the depth of his national experience back to the Tasmanian community.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (1979) and Bachelor of Laws with Honours (1983) from the University of Tasmania.
Master of Laws (1997) from the University of New South Wales.
Admitted to practice as a legal practitioner in Tasmania (1984), Victoria (1986), Northern Territory (1991), Western Australia (1992) and New South Wales (1995).
Admitted to the Bar in Victoria (1990) and New South Wales (1998).
Registered as a Migration Agent (1992-2021) - Migration Agent Registration No. 9256004.
Admitted to practice in
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Victoria
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New South Wales
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Western Australia
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Northern Territory
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Tasmania
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Federal Jurisdictions
Area of Law
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Administrative Law
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Civil Liberties/Discrimination
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Constitutional Law
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Disciplinary & Related Tribunals
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Equal Opportunity
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Freedom of Information
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Immigration/Refugee Law
PWNN and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Migration) [2026] ARTA 739
(General Member Da Costa, Sydney, 5 May 2026):
Tribunal review of decision to affirm refusal to revoke cancellation of visa under character test; possession of child abuse material by IT worker; low risk of reoffending; consideration of interests of applicant’s wife and 5 year old daughter; decision set aside and substituted with decision not to cancel visa.
KTTY and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Migration) [2025] ARTA 2685 (12 December 2025)
(Member S. Webb, Canberra, 12, December 2025):
Tribunal review of decision to affirm refusal to revoke cancellation of visa under character test; historical offences involving indecent treatment of a child; decision set aside and substituted with decision not to cancel visa.
(Judge Zipser, Sydney, 16 October 2025):
Federal Circuit and Family Court decision to quash decision of Tribunal to affirm refusal of nomination for the position of Chef for a subclass 186 Employer Nomination visa.
(Judge Eldershaw, Sydney, 23 Sep 2025):
Federal Circuit and Family Court decision to quash decision of Tribunal to affirm refusal of subclass 500 Student visa.
Luu v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2025] FedCFamC2G 1103 (17 July 2025)
(Judge Liang, Sydney, 17 July 2025):
Decision of Administrative Review Tribunal to set aside cancellation of absorbed person visa on character grounds; 75 year old UK applicant convicted of possession and dissemination of child abuse material; risk of reoffending “higher than the low risk”; applicant living in Australia for 65 years; difficulty in relocating to the UK.
CJD18 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2025] FedCFamC2G 774 (28 May 2025)
(Judge Egan, Brisbane, 28 May 2025):
Federal Circuit and Family Court decision to quash decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal to affirm refusal of Protection visa. Tribunal made critical findings of fact about the applicant’s claims against Iran that were both unsupported by the evidence and failed to take account of, or engage with, evidence and submissions provided by the applicant, such that the decision was seriously lacking in foundation, rationality, and logical coherence in a way that was legally unreasonable.
(Member K Raif, Sydney, 28 May 2025):
Decision of Administrative Review Tribunal to set aside cancellation of absorbed person visa on character grounds; 75 year old UK applicant convicted of possession and dissemination of child abuse material; risk of reoffending “higher than the low risk”; applicant living in Australia for 65 years; difficulty in relocating to the UK.





