About this visa

This visa is for people who are subject to persecution in their home country and who are in need of resettlement. The majority of applicants who are considered under this category are identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and referred to the Australian Government by the UNHCR.

Who is this visa for?

To be eligible for this visa a person must:

• be living outside their home country; and
• be subject to persecution in their home country; and
• have compelling reasons for resettlement to Australia.

Family members

The following people may be included in the application:

• the applicant’s partner
• dependent children of the applicant and the applicant’s partner
• certain dependent relatives living with the applicant.
  See: Eligibility

How much will this visa cost?

There is no charge for this visa.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows an eligible person and any dependent family members included in the visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• live and work in Australia permanently
• study in Australian schools and universities
• access subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residence eligibility criteria)
• propose or sponsor people for permanent residence.

The visa holder and accompanying family members must, however, comply with Australian laws. Failure to do so may affect the ability to remain in Australia.