Australian lawyers for Myanmar families, investors and professionals
Chua Tan Associates has practised in Melbourne since 1990. We act in complex Australian legal matters for clients in Myanmar, and for Myanmar nationals living in Australia, Singapore and Thailand: visa refusals and appeals, cross-border estates, Victorian property, family law with assets in more than one country, and business and investment disputes.
ဩစတြေးလျ ဥပဒေကိစ္စများအတွက် ဗီဒီယိုဖြင့် တိုင်ပင်ဆွေးနွေးနိုင်ပါသည်။
This is a paid legal service. First consultation: 30 minutes by video, A$330, credited to your first invoice if you instruct us. Fixed fees are quoted once we understand your matter.
When getting it wrong costs far more than advice
Most of the Myanmar matters we see became expensive because of a first step taken without advice:
- A visa refusal where the Tribunal deadline was counted in days, not weeks.
- An estate stalled because Myanmar documents were not translated or authenticated in a form an Australian court accepts.
- A Melbourne property paid for by parents but registered in a child’s or relative’s name.
- A separation with assets in Yangon, Singapore and Melbourne, and a strict Australian time limit already running.
- Money moved, or a contract signed, without checking Australia’s Myanmar sanctions rules.
We are a good fit for people with significant assets, a complicated history, or a deadline, who want an experienced Australian lawyer to take responsibility for the matter.
Matters we handle for Myanmar clients
Protection visas, refusals & Tribunal appeals
Myanmar nationals in Australia who arrived on a valid visa have been made a priority caseload for onshore protection visas. Priority does not help a weak or inconsistent application. We act in refused protection, skilled, partner and student matters at Home Affairs, the Administrative Review Tribunal and the courts.
Skilled, employer-sponsored & graduate pathways
For graduates, 485 holders and professionals: 482, 186 and 494 pathways, state nomination, and the National Innovation visa for founders, researchers and senior executives. We also act for employers sponsoring Myanmar staff.
Partner & parent visas
Partner and parent applications where identity documents, earlier refusals, time apart or a sponsor’s history need careful explanation. Prepared properly the first time.
Cross-border estates & probate
A family member has died in Myanmar or elsewhere, leaving Australian property, bank accounts or shares. A Victorian grant is usually needed, supported by translated and properly authenticated Myanmar documents. We act for overseas executors and beneficiaries.
Wills, powers of attorney & family wealth
A Victorian will that works alongside your arrangements in Myanmar, enduring powers of attorney, and testamentary trusts that protect what children in Australia inherit.
Victorian property
Buying, selling or holding Melbourne and Victorian property from overseas: foreign purchaser duty and land tax surcharges, the ban on foreign persons buying established dwellings (1 April 2025 to 30 June 2029), and 15% foreign resident withholding on sales. Victoria only.
Family law across borders
Property settlements with assets in Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Australia, international parenting and relocation, and financial agreements before marriage. Strict time limits apply after separation and divorce.
Business, investment & sanctions compliance
Myanmar-linked families and businesses investing in Australia, often through Singapore or Thailand: structures, contracts, shareholder and investment disputes, and debt recovery. Australia’s Myanmar sanctions framework restricts dealings with designated people and entities, so we check before funds move. We do not act on arrangements designed to avoid sanctions.
Notary & documents
Myanmar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so Australian documents for use in Myanmar generally need notarisation, DFAT authentication and legalisation by the Myanmar Embassy in Canberra. Our firm includes a Notary Public and handles the full chain.
Students & young adults in Australia
A criminal charge or a visa cancellation notice is never only one problem for an international student. We act quickly, coordinate the criminal and immigration sides, and keep parents overseas informed.
Why Myanmar clients choose Chua Tan Associates
- Experience since 1990. A second-generation Melbourne family firm: Barristers, Solicitors & Notary Public.
- Specialist immigration expertise. Two Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, with many of our immigration decisions published on AustLII.
- We know the region. Our principal, Justin Chua, has worked in law firms in Myanmar and across South-East Asia, and understands how families and businesses in the region actually hold their wealth.
- Cross-border family expertise. Nationally accredited mediator, family law arbitrator and STEP member, experienced in disputes within Asian families.
- Working with your advisers. We advise on Australian law and work alongside your lawyers, accountants and bankers in Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.
- Discreet. Consultations are confidential, and we understand that some clients need particular care about privacy.
Consultations in English, Mandarin or Cantonese.
缅甸华人澳洲法律事务：可用普通话、粤语视频咨询（付费服务）。
Australian Legal Desk for overseas families
For families in Myanmar or the region with ongoing Australian interests, our annual Australian Legal Desk keeps everything in order: a yearly review of your Victorian property, wills, powers of attorney and land tax, and priority WhatsApp access to the firm when something comes up. Ask about it at your consultation.
Fees
In the consultation we understand your situation, give you initial advice and review the documents we can in the time. Once we have a clear picture and have seen the documents, we quote a fixed fee for the work wherever possible.
Payment is made online when you book. A family member in Australia, Singapore or Thailand can pay on your behalf.
We do not offer free initial advice. If you cannot afford private legal fees, Legal Aid in your state or a community legal centre may be able to help.
How it works
- Contact us
Book online, message us on Facebook or WhatsApp. - Send key documents
Letters, refusal decisions, titles, wills or contracts, before the consultation. - Video consultation
30 minutes with a lawyer: your situation, your options and the risks. - Fixed-fee quote
A written quote once we understand the matter. - We act
We run the Australian side and keep you informed wherever you are.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Myanmar. Can you still help?
Yes. Most of our overseas clients never need to travel. We meet by video, and documents can be signed overseas with the right witnessing and authentication, which we explain step by step.
Do you speak Burmese?
Our lawyers consult in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
How do I pay if I am in Myanmar?
Payment is made online when you book. If paying from Myanmar is difficult, a family member in Australia, Singapore or Thailand can pay for you.
Do you advise on Myanmar law?
No. We are an Australian law firm and advise on Australian law. Where Myanmar law is relevant, we work with your lawyer in Myanmar.
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. Everything you tell us is confidential and protected by legal professional privilege, subject to the law.
Do you only act in Victoria?
Immigration and federal family law matters are handled Australia-wide. Property work is Victorian property only. Estates are generally Victorian, and we can advise where assets are in other states.
Related guides
Myanmar estates with Melbourne property
How Victorian probate works when a family member dies in Myanmar.
Investing in Australia: sanctions checks
What to check before money moves.
Protection visa refused
The Tribunal deadline and next steps.
Talk to an Australian lawyer about your matter
Book a paid 30-minute video consultation (A$330, credited to your first invoice), or message us first.
Facebook သို့မဟုတ် WhatsApp မှတစ်ဆင့် ကျွန်ုပ်တို့ထံ ဆက်သွယ်နိုင်ပါသည်။
Chua Tan Associates is an Australian law firm, Level 2, 262 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. Information on this page is general and is not legal advice. We advise on Australian law only.
简体中文 
English (Australia) 
繁體中文