The 33-year-old represented Australia as a member of the Wallabies between 2008 and 2017, including at two World Cups.
The letter from the government says he had not provided evidence to satisfy the special residency requirements, which refers to “persons engaging in activities of benefit to Australia” and “persons engaged in particular kinds of work requiring regular travel outside of Australia.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs said they do not comment on individual cases, but added that rugby union “is not listed in the legislative instrument as an eligible activity or kind of work for the purposes of the special residence requirement.”
Rules for participating in the Olympics differ from rugby union and other international sports as they require athletes to hold citizenship to represent a country in the competition.