An application for a certain class of visa can be considered against each subclass contained in that class, any fee prescribed for the application would already have been paid and it is made on the prescribed form confirmed by appropriate documentary evidence. Certain decisions made by Immigration can be appealed. However, there are strict time limits. Generally, a decision made outside Australia refusing to grant a visa where there is no nomination or sponsorship in that subclass is not reviewable. Where sponsorship or nomination is involved then the sponsor or nominator in Australia or Australian relative of the visa applicant can seek rights of review.
Most applications made in Australia are reviewable.
If you appeal initially to the tribunal, and you lose, and you still believe Immigration is wrong, you may be able to appeal to the courts. This is only if the tribunal has made a mistake in applying the law. If you are arguing with the department about a case, it is very useful to make a Freedom of Information application to see what is on the file. The Department of Immigration is not required to provide any advice to prospective applicants even to tell them which application applies to them. Applicants must be able to show that they qualify for a particular visa.