Onshore – Protection
The onshore component of the Refugee and Humanitarian program aims to provide options for people who are in Australia and wish to apply for protection (or asylum). There is one visa available for people onshore who wish to apply for protection.
Protection visa (Class XA) (Subclass 866)
Information on the Protection visa (Class XA) (subclass 866).
Changes to Protection visa processing
From 24 March 2012, two changes to Protection visa processing will take effect.
- Complementary protection claims will be considered as part of the Protection visa assessment process. Complementary protection is the term used to describe a category of protection for people who are not refugees but cannot be returned to their home country, in line with Australia's international obligations, because there is a real risk that the person will suffer certain types of harm.
- There will be a single statutory Protection visa process for both boat and air arrivals. The current onshore arrangements for a PV application and independent merits review through the Refugee Review Tribunal will apply to all new arrivals from 24 March 2012, and to irregular maritime arrivals who have not yet had a protection assessment interview.
See:
Fact Sheet 61a – Complementary Protection
Implementation of Complementary Protection (Questions and Answers) ( 42KB PDF file)
Implementation of a single process for Irregular Maritime Arrivals (Questions and Answers) ( 38KB PDF file)
For more information, speak to your case manager, migration agent or call the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Telephone: 131 881
