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The law has changed. Know the facts.
Australia's migration policy changed in August 2012. Find out about the changes and tell your family and friends to choose the right ways to migrate to Australia, instead of risking their lives on dangerous boat journeys.
We have:
- significantly increased the number of humanitarian (refugee) visas available
- added an extra 4000 visas for people who want to be reunited with their family in Australia
- started sending people to Nauru and Papua New Guinea for the processing of protection (asylum) claims.
Below, Muttiah Muralitharan encourages everyone to tell their friends and family to come the right way to Australia.
Don't risk your family's safety or your money.
Don't risk your family's safety or your money by paying people smugglers. Arriving in Australia by boat means:
- no guarantee of resettlement in Australia
- claims will not be processed faster than those arriving the right way
- high chance of being transferred to Nauru or Manus Island for processing
- waiting to be resettled can sometimes take many years - even if your family are found to be refugees
- they won't be able to get a family reunion visa (under the humanitarian program)
- your family may be kept in detention or be placed in the community with no work rights.
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Australia now accepts more refugees each year.
There are lawful options for migration and Australia has increased the humanitarian program's intake for the 2012-13 program year to 20 000 places. An application may take some time to process, but having a permanent visa before arriving in Australia will give you certainty about your future.
Watch the true story of a family who have already benefited from the increased humanitarian program places
What is the best way to migrate to Australia?
For more information about changes to Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program:
See: Special Humanitarian Program