There are a number of ways that people who have been found to be refugees in another country can come to Australia.
Resettlement
Australia has granted permanent visas to refugees through a formal offshore resettlement program since the 1970s. Most refugees who are resettled through this program are referred by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to the Australian Government, which decides who to accept based on different considerations and priorities.
Refugees living in other countries can also be sponsored for resettlement through the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) (visa subclass 202) if they have a proposer in Australia and meet certain eligibility requirements.
High demand for the SHP each year means that even those who meet all eligibility requirements can be refused, and decisions are made based on government processing priorities. You can see how many SHP applications were made and refused in past years on the Department of Home Affairs Offshore Humanitarian Program reports (see Table 4).
Read more: Special Humanitarian Program
The number of offshore resettlement visas (i.e., Refugee or Special Humanitarian Program visas) granted is decided each year by the Australian Government through a set number of places in the Humanitarian Program. The Australian Government also decides which countries and cases will be prioritised on an annual basis.
In 2026-27, Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program was set at 20,000 places. The number of visas allocated within this quota to offshore resettlement (i.e., Refugee or Special Humanitarian Program visas) is around 16,000 places. The remaining 4,000 visas under the Humanitarian Program quota are expected to be granted to those found to be refugees after arriving in Australia on a different visa and applying for asylum (i.e., onshore protection visas).
Read more: Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program
Complementary pathways
Complementary pathways are other migration solutions that can provide additional pathways or capacities to provide long-term safety to refugees, beyond government-assisted resettlement.
Examples of complementary pathways include labour mobility programs, education pathways, family reunion and community sponsorship.
Australia has established or is piloting several complementary migration pathways for refugees and others in humanitarian need.
Watch our 2024 webinar which takes a close look at how complementary pathways fit with the Australian Government’s plans to provide more ways for refugees to find permanent safety in Australia (note: some information may be out of date):
Read more:
- Complementary pathways for refugees: Policy principles
- A Complementary Pathways Program for Australia: Vision and Roadmap
- Explore how resettlement and complementary pathways can work alongside each other through our interactive tool.
Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot
The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program (CRISP) is a community sponsorship program that began in 2022 and makes it possible for community members in Australia to support a refugee household to come to Australia and assist them in their settlement journey.
This program is being led by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), and you can find the most up-to-date information on the CRSA website.
Who can come under the CRISP Program?
The CRISP Program is only available to refugees who:
- have been granted a refugee (200, 201, 204 subclass) visa by the Australian Government through referral from UNHCR
- do not have family links in Australia.Â
Who can sponsor refugees under CRISP?
Under CRISP, a Community Supporter Group (CSG) is a group of five or more Australian adults who agree to provide settlement support to refugees who have already been accepted by Australia for resettlement. Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) has been contracted to train and support these groups, including connecting CSGs to a refugee household.
How much does the program cost?
The program does not cost anything, but CSGs are expected to raise funds to support new arrivals for their first 12 months in Australia. Refugee households supported under CRISP will have access to income support and most government services on arrival. The financial commitment of CSGs can range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the size and composition of the refugee household a group is matched with.
On average, groups are budgeting to raise around $12,000. Most groups have been able to source some of the required resources as donations (such as donated temporary accommodation and/or household items).
What support do refugees get through CRISP?
Refugee households supported through CRISP are eligible for many of the same supports as other Refugee visa holders: government assisted passage to Australia, income support, access to Specialised and Intensive Services (if needed) and Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Services.
Under CRISP, CSGs instead of government-funded service providers are responsible for most of the support usually provided through the Humanitarian Settlement Program. This includes: temporary accommodation on arrival, support to find longer term housing, basic household goods, case management, support with essential registrations and orientation.
How many places are there?
From July 2026, CRISP became a permanent feature of Australia’s Humanitarian Program. Up to 200 refugees will be supported by Community Supporter Groups through the CRISP each year.
Is this additional to the Humanitarian Program?
No. The CRISP Program sits within the existing Humanitarian Program allocation of 20,000 places (2026-27 program year).
Read more
- Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia – CRISP factsheet
- Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia – FAQs
- Watch the short movie – ‘humanKind’
- Department of Home Affairs – Community Refugee Settlement and Integration Program (CRISP)
Community Support Program
The Community Support Program (CSP) enables families, individuals, communities and businesses to propose humanitarian visa applicants with employment prospects for resettlement in Australia.
Who can come under the program?
Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- all requirements to be granted a Global Special Humanitarian (subclass 202) visa
- are aged between 18 and 50
- have adequate English and demonstrate this at a visa interview
- have an offer of employment (or a pathway that leads to employment)
- from a priority resettlement cohort, as determined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs
Who can propose applicants?
Australian proposers could be relatives, community organisations, businesses or registered charities who enter into an arrangement to support the applicants and usually finance the costs of settlement. They would provide support in the following ways:
- setting up employment pathways for applicant
- providing settlement support for 12 months or otherwise paying for this service
- providing an Assurance of Support (AoS).
Approved Proposing Organisations (APOs) under the CSP help people to propose individuals in humanitarian situations overseas for resettlement through the Program. They also oversee the settlement support that the proposer provides.
How much does the CSP cost?
Application and other charges for the CSP vary depending on the size of the family and other considerations. Costs include:
- APO fees, approximately $7,000 – $15,000
- Visa application fees, approximately $7,800
- Settlement fees, approximately $5,000 – $10,000
- Airfares, medical checks and other travel costs.
What support will they get?
Under the CSP, the proposer is responsible for providing settlement support for the first year or paying for a settlement organisation to provide it. Proposers are expected to cover all expenses for the first year or until the sponsored family is self-sufficient. This includes covering food, accommodation, transport, phones and other day-to-day expenses. If new arrivals need to access social security (i.e., Centrelink), this will be taken out of the Assurance of Support provided by the proposer.
How many places are there?
In 2025-26, the CSP program supported more than 2,600 people to settle in Australia. In 2026-07, the number of CSP places allocated within the Humanitarian Program is expected to be similar.
At the start of 2026, there were over 20,000 people with CSP applications awaiting a decision from the Australian Government. APOs have been directed not to accept any new expressions of interest for this program because of this large backlog in applications. It is anticipated that it could take up to 8 years for a visa to be granted after an application has been completed and submitted.
Is this additional to the Humanitarian Program?
No. The CSP is currently within the existing Humanitarian Program allocation (20,000 people for 2026-27). As such, places within the CSP are not in addition to the Humanitarian Program.
Read more
Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot (SRLAP) is a labour mobility pathway for refugees sponsored by an employer in Australia under the skilled migration program.
SRLAP removes many of the barriers that refugees and other forcibly displaced people face when trying to access employer-sponsored skilled migration pathways. It makes it easier for employers in Australia to hire refugees with the skills they need.
The SRLAP is facilitated by Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB).
How does the pilot work?
Employers endorsed by TBB can access the pilot program by entering into a company-specific labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. The labour agreement allows employers to sponsor a TBB-endorsed refugee or displaced person for one of the following visas:
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated Scheme)
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Skills Shortage)
What support and concessions are available to refugees?
In order to support refugees accessing the skilled migration program, the SRLAP provides a number of concessions, including:
- Waiver of skills assessments
- Waiver of requirement to have proof of minimum years of work experience
- Reduction of minimum English language requirements to ‘Functional English’ (equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.5)
- Increase in the age requirements allowing sponsorship of people up to 55 years old
- Flexible arrangements for candidates without valid travel documents or ID papers (similar to those offered to resettled refugees)
- Flexible arrangements for candidates unable to secure a police check due to protection concerns
The Department of Home Affairs has approved over 900 occupations that can be sponsored under the labour agreement.
With TBB’s support, employers themselves are able to assess a refugee candidate’s skills and experience to determine whether they are suitable to work in Australia under this pilot.
Who can employers sponsor?
Employers can sponsor refugees or displaced people who have been endorsed by TBB. TBB will identify potential candidates from their Talent Catalog and will support employers through the remote recruitment process.
Where an employer comes to TBB with a job vacancy and already has a preferred candidate (they have identified a suitable candidate through their own processes), TBB can work with eligible employers and candidates to support the migration and relocation process.
How much does it cost employers to hire through this pilot?
The cost to employers is in line with any international hire, and is comprised mostly of:
- Visa application and associated charges;
- Immigration legal fees (for assistance with the visa process); and
- General relocation costs such as flights and temporary accommodation upon arrival.
Can successful refugee candidates bring their family with them to Australia?
Yes. The primary visa applicant is entitled to bring their spouse or de facto partner and any dependent children aged 23 or under with them to Australia.
How many places are there?
From 2021-2026, the pilot gave up to 500 displaced people the opportunity to move to Australia with their families for work. The future of the pathway after 30 June 2026 is yet to be announced.
Is this in addition to the Humanitarian Program?
Yes. The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot is designed to be complementary and in addition to Australia’s commitments to refugee resettlement under the Humanitarian Program.
There will be no reduction in Australia’s humanitarian intake as a result of this pilot program, and applying for or obtaining a job through this pilot will not make someone ineligible for humanitarian resettlement in future.
Read more
- Talent Beyond Boundaries – The Australian Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot
- Department of Home Affairs, Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot
Refugee Student Settlement Pathway
The Refugee Student Settlement Pathway (RSSP) is a pilot program aimed at creating a permanent, complementary pathway for young refugee students (aged 18-30) to migrate and settle in Australia to take up tertiary education opportunities.
The pilot is being led by Skill Path Australia in collaboration with Refugee Education Australia, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, the Australian Refugee Welcome University Sponsorship Consortium (ARWUSC), and others.
How does the pilot work?Â
The pilot began in 2025, allowing 20 young refugees (aged 18-30) living in Malaysia, India and Thailand to move permanently to Australia in 2025-26. A second small intake is expected for 2026-27. Students are able to undertake a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications in fields such as nursing, civil engineering, technology, business and economics. In addition to receiving tertiary education, students are supported by a local Campus Welcome Groups to assist them with settlement and integration. RSSP students arrive in Australia on permanent humanitarian visas, enabling them to build a new life and career with stability.
Inspired by Canada’s successful Student Refugee Program, the RSSP has been co-designed by the Australian Government, higher education sector, peak settlement and refugee advocacy organisations, as well as students with lived experience of forced migration.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the RSSP 2026-27 intake (now closed) a person must:
- Be registered with UNHCR.
- Live in Malaysia, India or Thailand.
- Be 18-30 years of age.
- Have completed Secondary School (Year 11 and 12) or an equivalent program.
- Not have completed a postgraduate degree (Master’s or Doctorate).
- Be able to study and communicate competently in English (minimum requirements depend on the course).
- Be willing to travel to Australia on their own.
- Meet additional academic criteria requirements relevant to the course (we will advise you of additional requirements if you are shortlisted for the program).
Is this additional to the Humanitarian Program?
No. The RSSP is currently within the existing Humanitarian Program allocation (20,000 people for 2026-27), with students arriving on Special Humanitarian Program (subclass 202) visas.
Read more:
- Skill Path Australia – Refugee Student Settlement Pilot Launched
- Skill Path Australia – Information for Prospective Students
- Department of Home Affairs – Refugee Student Settlement Pathway (RSSP) Pilot
Family Reunion through the Migration Program
Family reunion is also a complementary pathway, as it provides an essential migration option to reunite refugee families in addition to the Humanitarian Program.Â
While the Special Humanitarian Program allows family members to propose people through the Humanitarian Program, the family stream of the Migration Program allows people to bring family members in addition to the existing Humanitarian Program quota.
What visas are available for family reunion through the Migration Program?
Refugees seeking to sponsor family members through the Migration Program in Australia can utilise the following visas:
- Subclasses 309 and 100 (Partner visa) (apply overseas)
- Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage visa)
- Subclasses 820 and 801 (Partner visa) (apply in Australia)
- Subclass 114 (Aged Dependent Relative visa)
- Subclass 838 (Aged Dependent Relative visa)
- Subclass 835 (Remaining Relative visa)
- Subclass 837 (Orphan Relative visa)
- Subclass 117 (Orphan Relative visa)
- Subclass 116 (Carer visa)
- Subclass 836 (Carer visa)
- Subclass 115 (Remaining Relative visa)
- Subclass 103 (Parent visa)
- Subclass 804 (Aged Parent visa)
- Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent visa)
- Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent visa)
- Subclass 445 (Dependent Child visa)
- Subclass 101 (Child visa)
- Subclass 802 (Child visa)
- Subclass 102 (Adoption visa)
How much do these visas cost?
The fees for these visas vary significantly, from approximately $11,710 for a Prospective Marriage visa to $50,000 for a Contributory Aged Parent Visa.
In addition, sponsors must also pay for migration advice, airfares, medical checks, biometric tests, travel documents and other costs.
How many places are there?
The family stream of the Migration Program is not strictly capped, meaning that the number of visas allocated in each visa category varies each year. An overall planning level is decided each year. In 2026-27 this was 52,460 places. However, there are significant wait times, depending on the visa. You can find out visa processing times and caps on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Is this in addition to the Humanitarian Program?
Yes. These visas are in addition to the Humanitarian Program.
Where can I get help to apply for a family visa?
It is a good idea to get advice from a registered migration lawyer or agent who has experience doing family visas for refugees. You could contact a community legal centre near you and ask them to recommend or provide you with a list of migration agents or lawyers. You can also find out more about how to find good advice and search for a registered migration agent on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website.
Read more:
- Department of Home Affairs – Explore visa options for joining family in Australia
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority – Steps to choose a registered migration agent
- RCOA – Family separation and family reunion for refugees: The issues
- Global Family Reunification Network
