Offshore – Resettlement
The offshore component of the Refugee and Humanitarian Program has two categories.
- The Refugee category for people subject to persecution in their home country.
- The Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) category for people who, while not being refugees, are subject to substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of their human rights in their home country.
- People who wish to be considered for an SHP visa must be living outside their home country and be proposed for entry by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an organisation operating in Australia.
These categories go beyond our international obligations and have been introduced to enhance our assistance to those in need.
The number of applications for resettlement received is far greater than the visas available each program year. For instance, in 2010–11 there were about 24 000 applications for SHP visas and only around 3000 visas granted.
Who is Eligible?
Information on who is eligible for refugee and humanitarian visas.
Proposing an Applicant
Information on how to help refugees or others in humanitarian need to migrate to Australia.
Refugee and Humanitarian Visas
Information on each visa subclass in the offshore Humanitarian Program.
More Information
Fact sheets and forms for Australia's Humanitarian Program, as well as publications and useful websites for people interested in refugee issues.
