- Displaced Ukrainians on a three year visa stay are facing high levels of stress and anxiety about their status as the end of their visa period approaches
- Pathways to permanent residency for displaced Ukrainians are unclear and problematic
- Many displaced Ukrainians in Australia are highly educated, but face obstacles applying for alternative visas due to age limits, recognition of qualifications, skills assessment and sponsorship limitations
- AFUO calls on the Federal Government to review the current approach to visas for Ukrainians
As the 3rd year of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches on Saturday 24 February 2024, Ukrainians who came to Australia seeking safe haven are increasingly asking about their future in the country.
After almost two years in Australia, the limitation of a three-year stay for those who arrived on Humanitarian 786 visas prior to 31 July 2022 is causing major stress and anxiety for displaced Ukrainians. Alternative visa options present significant challenges, with no readily identifiable pathway for them to secure permanent residency.
Similar challenges face displaced Ukrainians who arrived after 31 July 2022 on Tourist visas before transitioning to Emergency Bridging Visas (EBV). While they may not face a three year limit on their stay, this cohort awaits the Government’s decision on Protection 866 visas.
“After arriving in the country with very little except some of their family and a few belongings, displaced Ukrainians have picked themselves up and sought to reestablish their lives. They have learnt English, found work, and their children have enrolled in local primary and high schools,” says Stefan Romaniw, Co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).
“However, we are now two years into this brutal, illegal Russian war on Ukraine, and we are not seeing any quick way to get Ukrainians back to a safe and stable country. So the AFUO is calling on the Federal Government to review the current approach to visas for Ukrainians impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion and to help establish viable options for those seeking permanent residency.
“A very high proportion of displaced Ukrainians are women and children, as many of their partners or husbands have remained in Ukraine. They are motivated, highly educated and possess years of experience in occupations which are in high demand in the Australian labour market.
“However, many are not eligible to apply for skilled visa categories, or sponsorship visas through employers because they are over the age cut off; their English language skills have not yet reached the proficiency required for skilled migration; their skills do not align perfectly with Australia’s specific demands; or companies are unwilling to sponsor them due to their lack of local experience and inability to provide documentation of their experience in Ukraine.
“The most heartbreaking cases are the students who are about to leave high school, but cannot access TAFE or tertiary education unless they secure a scholarship.
“The AFUO has been in regular consultation with Minister Giles and is working with him in presenting the current situation and visa pathways for the Government to consider. We also recognise the Minister’s compassionate approach in recent times in dealing with extraordinary travel requests, which have included wives, mothers and daughters returning to Ukraine following the death of their husbands, sons and fathers on the frontline,” Mr Romaniw adds.
“While we are grateful the Government has welcomed these displaced Ukrainians, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continues. Displaced Ukrainians need certainty and we look forward to working with the Government to secure their futures in Australia, should they wish to stay,” Mr Romaniw says.
A national representative survey commissioned by the AFUO in early February 2024 found that:
- 59% of Australians agree with providing displaced people from Ukraine in Australia with assistance such as visas, education opportunities and employment support, with only 15% disagreeing.
- A staggering 82% agree that Russia should cease its invasion and exit Ukraine, with only 3% disagreeing.
- An overwhelming majority (82%) believe that the Government should maintain or increase the level of support, with a sizeable rise in the number of those who believe the Government should provide more aid to Ukraine – increasing from 17% in June 2023, to 24% in February 2024.
Image source: Mirek Pruchnicki | Flickr
