9.1.2.110 Permanent Refugee & Humanitarian Visas

Introduction

Since 1 September 1994, DIAC has granted 2 kinds of permanent refugee and humanitarian visas:

• PERMANENT PROTECTION VISA (PPV) (subclass 866): PPVs are, broadly speaking, granted to persons who enter Australia lawfully, and who are then found to be refugees within the meaning of the 1953 Convention on the Status of Refugees ('the Convention').
• OFFSHORE REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN VISAS (subclass 200-219): These visas are granted to persons outside Australia who are either refugees within the meaning of the Convention, or who meet other humanitarian criteria. These visas are in turn split into 2 categories - special assistance program (SAP) visas (subclasses 200-204) and special assistance categories (SAC) (subclasses 205-219). The main difference between the 2 categories is that SAC visas were targeted towards particular nationalities or ethnic groups. The SAC visa subclasses were removed from the Migration Regulations with effect from 1 November 2001, but SAC visas granted before that date continue in effect.

Holders of permanent refugee and humanitarian visas have a QRE for all payments. That is, holders of these visas are exempt from all qualifying residence and NARWP provisions, provided that they continue to reside in Australia.

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Last reviewed: 7 June 2010