PIC 4020 and "One Fails, All Fail": How One Person's Mistake Can Affect the Whole Family’s Visa

Applying as a family is usually the sensible choice. You lodge once, pay once, and wait together. The catch is that your applications are tied together under the "one fails, all fail" provision. This also means that once there is a problem with one individual, it can affect everyone else. PIC 4020 is one of the most common ways this happens.

What Is PIC 4020?

Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 is an integrity requirement. The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) uses it to ask whether an applicant has given, or been involved in giving, either of the following:

A bogus document, or
False or misleading information about a material matter.

If the information could have influenced the decision, it counts. That can include a forged qualification, but it can also be an incorrect date, a missing job, or a box ticked incorrectly. The criterion doesn't stop at the current application. Information provided in an earlier application can be examined too. And intent isn't always the deciding factor. People have been caught out by honest mistakes, by an unreliable document handed to them by someone else, or by a statement they never properly read.

What Does "One Fails, All Fail" Mean?

A visa application is often assessed as a family unit. The main applicant and the secondary applicants (members of the family unit (MoFU)) each need to meet the relevant criteria, including the PIC. So, a problem with one person tends to have these effects:

A secondary applicant has a PIC 4020 issue. The main applicant's visa can be refused, even if their documents are accurate.
The main applicant has a PIC 4020 issue. Partners and children included in the application will usually fail as well.
A problem emerges after the visa is granted. The visa may be cancelled under section 109 of the Migration Act 1958, and cancellation can affect MoFUs as well.

The exact operation depends on the specific visa subclass and the wording of its criteria, so each case needs a proper review. Reach out to one of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law for professional advice and guidance to avoid visa refusal or cancellation.

What are the Common Ways Families Get Caught for PIC4020?

A document prepared by someone else, or a mistake made by someone else, can still become your problem.
Inconsistent information between family members; for example, the main applicant and spouse state different marriage or employment dates.
Altered or inaccurate evidence, such as identity documents, altered bank statements, employment letters, or qualification documents.
Omitted details, including purposely or accidentally not providing information, a previous refusal, overstay, not declaring health issues or criminal records or an undisclosed relationship.
Some applicants forget to update the Department when their circumstances change.

What are the Consequences of a PIC 4020?

Visa refusal for the whole application.
Depending on the circumstances, there may be an exclusion period on future visa applications of three (3) years or longer.
Section 109 cancellation if the issue is found after grant.
Damage to future applications. Integrity concerns tend to follow a person's migration history.

What Can I do If I have PIC4020?

In some cases, yes. PIC 4020 can sometimes be waived when the Department finds compelling or compassionate circumstances. You would typically receive a Section 57 (s57) Natural Justice letter or Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation (NOICC) from the Department, and the response should be careful and evidence-based:

Do not ignore the letter; respond within the strict deadlines, which can be as short as 7 days.
Identify exactly what the Department’s concerns are.
Collect original documents, communications and proof of how any error occurred.
Consider how a finding about one person affects everyone in the application.
Prepare a formal response that addresses the PIC4020 concerns and is supported by law and policy, not just facts or a story. Engage a specialised immigration lawyer to assist with the legal submission addressing DoHA’s concerns.

How to Protect Your Family Before You Lodge

Check every document for accuracy before you lodge.
Make sure family members' details match across all forms and evidence.
Disclose previous refusals, cancellations and overstays.
Get advice early if there is any doubt about a document or a past statement.

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

Schedule a consultation with one of our two Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, Jason Ling or Angela De Silva, at Agape Henry Crux for tailored professional advice and guidance. They specialise in highly complex visa matters such as responding to PIC4020, visa refusals and visa cancellations. By acting quickly and providing an evidence-backed response, many applicants can overcome these concerns. You can book a consultation with us by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English and Mandarin. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

Our founder and principal lawyer, Jason Ling, is recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ and the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Agape Henry Crux is named as Best Immigration Law Firm 2025 - Sydney by APAC Insider Awards and in the 2027 edition of The Best Law Firms™ - Australia.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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