Updated April 2024
Updated March 2024
Policy and law updates
Any developments in law or policy affecting refugees and people seeking asylum will be added here.
Funding available for Australian communities affected by Hamas-Israel conflict
The Australian Government will be giving up to $2 million in emergency financial assistance to people from significantly impacted areas of the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel.
Funding is for those who have arrived in Australia on a temporary visa and who have been assessed to be in financial hardship.
Small cash payments of between $1,500 and $3,500 for shot-term immediate needs are being offered.
Apply via the Australian Red Cross - you will need basic documents such as a passport, visa grant number, bank statements. Decisions will be based on financial hardship and eligibility criteria.
If you cannot work while waiting for your protection visa application to be assessed by the Department, please contact RACS to talk about your options.
📞 (02) 8355 7227 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Monday to Friday
✉️ admin@racs.org.au
Compensation for immigration data breach
The Australian Government has established a Compensation Assessment Scheme to compensate victims of a data breach that occurred in February 2014. Norton Rose Fulbright Australia is administering this scheme.
The data breach affected around 9,000 people in immigration or community detention. Information about the Scheme and eligibility here.
Important note: RACS is not involved in this Scheme and anyone affected (including RACS clients) should contact Norton Rose Fulbright for assistance.
Current options for those trying to leave Gaza/the Occupied Palestinian Territories/Israel
This factsheet provides RACS’s understanding of responses to some frequently asked questions we are currently receiving from people in Australia wishing to assist relatives and friends in Gaza/the Occupied Palestinian Territories/Israel wanting help leaving to come to Australia.
Pakistan Exit Permits
The Australian Government has released information regarding the Government of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” and its impact on Afghans. Read the update here (information available in Dari, Hazaragi and Pashto at the bottom of the page).
Updated December 2023
Updated November 2023
Resolution of Status visas
In February 2023, the Federal Government announced a pathway to permanency for those on a TPV or SHEV in the form of the Resolution of Status visa.
People who hold a Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (TPV or SHEV) are now eligible to apply for a permanent visa, Resolution of Status Visa (Subclass 851) from 14 February 2023 onwards.
As this has implications for people assessed under the Fast Track Process, it is important to get legal advice about your current situation and status in Australia.
To find out more, please see our factsheets on the legal information page.
Updated October 2023
See our legal information page for details of the above changes.
If you need legal help, contact us:
📞 (02) 8355 7227
11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Monday to Friday
✉️ admin@racs.org.au
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