The Australian Federation of Ukrainians Organisations (AFUO) has lodged a comprehensive response to the Department of Home Affairs consultation about Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2024-2025.
The AFUO strongly argued the program needs to better respond to resettlement crises, such as that which occurred with Ukrainian displaced people following the full-scale Russian invasion.
The AFUO also said the program can better support current Ukrainian humanitarian entrants by:
- extending the subclass 786 Temporary Humanitarian Concern visas for displaced Ukrainians for a further 3 years to remove immediate stress
- developing dedicated pathways for permanent residency for displaced Ukrainians, in consideration of the barriers that many of the Ukrainian cohort face
- expanding access to other humanitarian programs for Ukrainians
- expanding relative sponsorship criteria for family visas in humanitarian cases (e.g. siblings, cousins etc)
- providing accelerated family reunification pathways for split families
The absence of a suitable and achievable pathway to transition from temporary visas to permanent residency has left many displaced Ukrainians in a state of high uncertainty.
This uncertainty blocks access to higher education, and undermines the ability to plan for the future, pursue stable employment and integrate into Australian society. Many in the cohort are highly educated, possess skills and training in high-demand occupations, and are motivated to make a contribution to Australia.
The AFUO thanks the Ukrainian Council of NSW for its significant role in preparing the submission, and the Ukrainian Community of Queensland for their assistance.
The AFUO also thanks the displaced Ukrainians who provided a supplementary submission to the AFUO lead submission.