Refugee Category
The Refugee category assists people who are subject to persecution in their home country and for whom resettlement in Australia is the best durable solution.
Australia works closely with the UNHCR, which refers many of the successful applicants for resettlement in Australia under this category.
The Refugee category has four subclasses:
Refugee visa (subclass 200) – generally for people who have fled persecution and are living outside their home country.
In-country Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 201) – this visa is used in very limited circumstances, as the UNHCR is not mandated to refer people for resettlement who remain in their home country, even if the UNHCR has a presence in that country.
Australia is also unable to progress visa applications for people who are in their home country where there is a volatile security situation and/or where Australia has no official presence.
Emergency Rescue visa (subclass 203) – only a small number of visas are granted under this subclass for people outside their home country, who are in urgent need of protection because there is an imminent threat to their life and security. Applications are usually only granted to those referred by the UNHCR for consideration.
Woman at Risk visa (subclass 204) – for women and their dependents subject to persecution in their home country or registered as being ‘of concern’ to the UNHCR and without the protection of a male relative.
Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) Category
The SHP category (subclass 202) is for people outside their home country, subject to substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of human rights, and with family or community ties to Australia.
Applications for SHP visas must be accompanied by a proposal from an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an organisation operating in Australia.
If the SHP application is successful, proposers must pay for the applicants’ travel to Australia and provide initial accommodation and orientation in Australia. The limited number of SHP places available and the high demand for places mean that not everyone is accepted. Priority is given to applicants outside their home country who have close family members in Australia.
Community Support Program (CSP)
The CSP is designed to provide a model of private sponsorship for refugees that complements existing Refugee and SHP categories. It enables communities and businesses, as well as families and individuals, to propose humanitarian visa applicants with employment prospects and to support new humanitarian arrivals.
The CSP is intended to harness community support for refugees, including the willingness of the Australian business community to support refugees in practical ways through employment and financial assistance, and increase the chances of strong integration and settlement outcomes. Like other streams under the offshore Humanitarian Program, priority of CSP is given to applicants who fall within the Government’s global, regional and settlement priorities.
For more detailed information please contact our team for a confidential discussion. https://connectaustralia.com.au/book-a-consultation/
