A refugee and protection visa offers individuals fleeing persecution or significant harm in their home country the opportunity to seek safety and legal protection in a new host country.
Onshore Protection Visas
Australian Refugee and Humanitarian program provides options for people who are in Australia and want to apply for protection (or asylum). Depending on how you arrived in Australia, the following options are available:
You arrived in Australia legally
You can apply for a Protection visa (subclass 866).
You arrived in Australia illegally
If you are an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and did not apply for a Protection visa before 1 October 2017, you can no longer apply for protection. You must depart Australia. See Status Resolution Service for more information.
You are a Temporary Protection visa or Safe Haven Enterprise visa holder
If you currently hold a Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785) or a Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790) you must apply for a subsequent Temporary Protection visa or Safe Haven Enterprise visa before your current visa ceases. If you do not apply before your current visa ceases, you will become unlawful and will be barred from applying for a subsequent visa.
More information is available about applying for a subsequent temporary protection visa.
Refugee visa (subclass 202, 201, 203, 204)
Offshore Refugee Visas
You might be able to get this visa if:
you are outside Australia
you are living outside your home country (except in exceptional circumstances where a subclass 201 In Country Special Humanitarian visa might be granted)
you are persecuted in your home country.
If a member of your immediate family was granted a Refugee visa in the past five years, they can propose you for this visa under ‘split family’ provisions. You can find more information at Proposing an Immediate Family Member (‘Split Family’).
Health requirements
You must meet certain health requirements. The results are usually valid for 12 months. Do not arrange a health examination until we ask you to.
This applies to you and any dependent family members included in your application.
A waiver of the need to meet the health requirement is available if compassionate and compelling circumstances exist. You can find information at Health waivers.
Character requirements
You must meet certain character requirements. You must provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age.
This applies to you and all the dependent family members listed in your application, whether they are migrating or not.
You do not need to provide a police certificate from your home country.
Community Support Program (CSP)
The Community Support Program (CSP) plays a crucial role in fostering the successful settlement of refugees in Australia. This program empowers Australian individuals, community organizations, and businesses to actively contribute to the integration and self-sufficiency of refugees.
Through the CSP, individuals, community members, and businesses have the opportunity to propose and support CSP applicants by providing job offers, essential skills, and financial assistance. This support enables refugees to attain long-term independence and integration within Australian society.
Under the CSP, Approved Proposing Organisations (APOs) act as intermediaries, connecting community members and businesses with potential CSP applicants. These APOs oversee the visa application process, ensuring a smooth transition for refugees and their families. Additionally, APOs provide valuable assistance in finding suitable accommodations and helping refugees settle into their new communities.
By participating in the CSP, individuals, community organizations, and businesses actively contribute to the successful integration and well-being of refugees in Australia, fostering a more inclusive and diverse society.
Up to 1,000 CSP places are available this financial year and priority is given to refugee applicants who are:
- aged 18 to 50
- employable
- willing to live and work in regional areas
- able to become financially self-sufficient within their first year in Australia.
- If you want to support a refugee through the CSP, Happy Migration can assist you through the CSP process.
