The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal upheld 20 complaints in 2016 and dismissed 8, according to the Immigration Advisers Authority.

In a review of Tribunal decisions during 2016, the Authority says of the 20 complaints which were upheld, 4 were upheld with no further action and 16 were upheld with sanctions to be imposed.

Three appeals against a decision by the Authority to reject a complaint were dismissed and one was allowed.

The Authority says four advisers had their licences cancelled in 2016 (some decisions may still be under appeal). The reasons licences were cancelled included condoning unlicensed advice in the workplace, dishonesty, and a lack of respect and professionalism.

In several other decisions, advisers were required to undertake training. One adviser was required to pay over $10,000 in compensation to a client for lost wages.