Chong Quaik

Chong is one of Australia’s leading migration lawyers and a highly experienced litigation and cross-border adviser. He leads Hunt & Hunt’s Asian & Chinese Advisory and Migration teams, providing specialist advice on migration, citizenship, cross-border business, investment and disputes involving Australia, Southeast Asia and China.

Dual-qualified in Australia and Malaysia, Chong brings decades of experience advising individuals, entrepreneurs, investors and businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. His practice is distinguished by a rare combination of technical legal expertise, courtroom experience and deep cultural fluency, enabling him to bridge commercial, regulatory and cultural differences with precision.

Chong’s clients include Australian-based Asian enterprises, foreign investors entering the Australian market, and international businesses engaged in trade, investment and migration. Fluent in multiple languages, he delivers tailored legal strategies that are both commercially effective and culturally informed.

Areas of Focus

• Migration and citizenship law (Accredited Specialist)
• Business, investor and innovation visas
• Cross-border transactions and foreign investment
• Corporate and commercial advisory
• Litigation, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance
• Cross-border risk and governance advisory

Experience & Authority

Migration & Citizenship Expertise

Chong is an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law and is widely respected for his depth of expertise across the full spectrum of migration and citizenship matters. He manages cases ranging from straightforward applications through to highly complex, sensitive and high-risk matters.

His migration practice includes advising business entrepreneurs, innovation and investment visa applicants, resident return applications and citizenship submissions. He also regularly advises on partner visas, business visas, work permits, refugee matters and visa cancellations, including matters involving character, compliance and review proceedings.

Chong is particularly sought after for complex cases requiring strategic planning, advocacy and an in-depth understanding of both migration law and broader commercial or personal circumstances.

Cross-Border Business & Investment Advisory

Chong advises Australian businesses seeking to expand into Asia and foreign investors seeking to establish or invest in Australia. His work spans cross-border transactions, market entry structuring, regulatory compliance and ongoing commercial advisory.

He regularly acts for multinational companies and privately held enterprises with operations in jurisdictions including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. His advice is informed by an understanding of regional business practices, regulatory environments and cultural expectations.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

In addition to his advisory work, Chong is a highly experienced litigation lawyer and has appeared in a wide range of Australian courts and tribunals. His litigation experience spans commercial, regulatory and migration-related disputes.

He has appeared in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Social Security Tribunal, Migration Review Tribunal, Refugee Review Tribunal, Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

Chong’s litigation work includes disputes involving shareholders and directors, tax audits, proceeds of crime matters, commercial and residential leasing disputes, debt recovery, wills and probate matters, and regulatory investigations.

Regulatory, Government & Advisory Experience

Chong’s experience includes senior advisory and leadership roles beyond private practice. Prior to joining Hunt & Hunt, he served as a private secretary and press secretary to a former Cabinet Minister in Malaysia and held presidential roles at Malaysia’s Consumer Claims Tribunal and Strata Management Tribunal.

These roles provide him with a deep understanding of regulatory decision-making, administrative processes and governance, which informs his strategic approach to disputes, migration reviews and cross-border regulatory matters.

Asia Advisory & Cultural Fluency

As head of the Asian & Chinese Advisory team, Chong is recognised for his ability to operate seamlessly across cultures, legal systems and languages. He is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, English and Malay, and is proficient in reading and writing Mandarin, English and Malay.

This cultural fluency allows Chong to communicate effectively with clients, counterparties and authorities, reducing risk and enhancing outcomes in cross-border matters where misunderstanding or misalignment can be costly.

Community, Pro Bono & Professional Standing

Chong is a member of Project Sunflower, where he provides pro bono legal and migration advice in relation to the situation in Ukraine. He is widely respected across Australia and Asia for his integrity, professionalism and commitment to practical problem-solving.

Clients value Chong for his calm judgement, strategic clarity and ability to manage complex matters with sensitivity, precision and authority across jurisdictions.