Policy and law updates
Any developments in law or policy affecting refugees and people seeking asylum will be added here.
FACTSHEET
Information for those trying to leave Iran
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 Iran wanting help to come to Australia. Please note that all the information in this factsheet we believe to be correct as at March 2026, but the situation is changing rapidly.
Read the fact sheet here, under Emerging Legal Issues.
Updated March 2026
FACTSHEET
Current Visa Options for Ukrainians who arrived in Australia before 31 July 2024
The Australian Government recently extended the availability of a temporary humanitarian visa pathway to Ukrainians who arrived in Australia before 31 July 2024 (previously this date was 31 July 2023).
This Fact Sheet is intended for Ukrainian nationals who arrived in Australia before 31 July 2024 and are not otherwise holding a Temporary Humanitarian Concern (Subclass 786) and are not currently engaged in the pathway to a Resolution of Status Visa (Subclass 851).
Read the fact sheet here, under Emerging Legal Issues.
Updated December 2025
Crisis portal for Australians affected by Israel-Iran missile strikes
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has created a crisis portal for Australians in Iran, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members who have right of entry into Australia are able to register.
Updated June 2025
FACTSHEET
Current visa options for newly arrived Palestinians in Australia
The Australian Government recently announced the availability of a temporary humanitarian visa pathway for recently arrived Palestinians and Israelis. A temporary humanitarian visa pathway is a two-stage process that involves the grant of a Temporary Safe Haven (Subclass 449) Visa and then a Temporary Humanitarian Concern (Subclass 786) Visa.
Our Palestine fact sheets can be found here, under Emerging Legal Issues.
Updated October 2024
Updated March 2024
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.
Updated October 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.
See our legal information page for details of the above changes.
If you need legal help, contact us:
📞 (02) 8355 7227
10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
Monday to Friday
✉️ admin@racs.org.au