Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) vs PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure)
Both are three-year exclusions that most temporary visas apply and permanent visas do not; what differs is what started them. Public interest criterion 4013 follows a visa cancellation, on most grounds, and runs three years from the cancellation. Criterion 4014 follows a departure after being unlawful, or on a Bridging Visa C, D or E, unless the person left, or applied for a Bridging Visa E, within 28 days of becoming unlawful, and it runs three years from the departure. Each can be waived where compelling or compassionate circumstances affect an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or compelling circumstances affect Australia’s interests, and the waiver is argued in the application, not assumed.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Trigger
- A visa cancellation on most grounds · Leaving Australia after an unlawful period, or on a BVC, BVD or BVE, outside the 28-day grace
- Period
- 3 years from the cancellation · 3 years from the departure
- Applies to
- Most temporary visas · Most temporary visas
- Does not apply to
- Permanent visas · Permanent visas
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About the CPD →Side by side
| PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) | PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure) | |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | A visa cancellation on most grounds | Leaving Australia after an unlawful period, or on a BVC, BVD or BVE, outside the 28-day grace |
| Period | 3 years from the cancellation | 3 years from the departure |
| Applies to | Most temporary visas | Most temporary visas |
| Does not apply to | Permanent visas | Permanent visas |
| The grace | None | Left, or applied for a BVE, within 28 days of becoming unlawful |
| Waiver | Compelling or compassionate circumstances affecting an Australian, or Australia’s interests | The same |
| Watch out | A cancellation for a breach you did not contest still counts | Overstaying by a month costs three years |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
Both are three-year exclusions that most temporary visas apply and permanent visas do not; what differs is what started them. Public interest criterion 4013 follows a visa cancellation, on most grounds, and runs three years from the cancellation. Criterion 4014 follows a departure after being unlawful, or on a Bridging Visa C, D or E, unless the person left, or applied for a Bridging Visa E, within 28 days of becoming unlawful, and it runs three years from the departure. Each can be waived where compelling or compassionate circumstances affect an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or compelling circumstances affect Australia’s interests, and the waiver is argued in the application, not assumed.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
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Questions we get asked first
PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) or PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure) — which is better?
Both are three-year exclusions that most temporary visas apply and permanent visas do not; what differs is what started them. Public interest criterion 4013 follows a visa cancellation, on most grounds, and runs three years from the cancellation. Criterion 4014 follows a departure after being unlawful, or on a Bridging Visa C, D or E, unless the person left, or applied for a Bridging Visa E, within 28 days of becoming unlawful, and it runs three years from the departure. Each can be waived where compelling or compassionate circumstances affect an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or compelling circumstances affect Australia’s interests, and the waiver is argued in the application, not assumed.
What is the main difference between the PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) and the PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure)?
Trigger: PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) — A visa cancellation on most grounds; PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure) — Leaving Australia after an unlawful period, or on a BVC, BVD or BVE, outside the 28-day grace. Period: PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) — 3 years from the cancellation; PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure) — 3 years from the departure. Applies to: PIC 4013 (after a cancellation) — Most temporary visas; PIC 4014 (after an unlawful departure) — Most temporary visas.
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