Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Australian Government made an initial offer of a 3 year temporary humanitarian stay (subclass 786 visa) for Ukrainians already in Australia on temporary visas or arriving on visitor visas (subclass 600).
This offer of a temporary humanitarian stay expired on 31 July 2022, after which Ukrainian nationals wishing to stay in Australia could apply for a protection visa (subclass 866/bridging visa A) or bridging visa E (subclass 050).
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) estimated in a report published in September 2024 that there were around 3,790 Ukrainian Displaced Persons (DPs) in Australia on 786 visas, which were due to expire between March and July 2025; and up to an additional 1,000 DPs who were on bridging visas.
On 4 October 2024, the AFUO announced that that the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP, had indicated to the AFUO the Government’s intention to offer the Resolution of Status (subclass 851) (RoS) pathway to displaced Ukrainians on 786 visas on a case-by-case basis.
See here for more information: https://afuo.org.au/visa-information/
For more information about government and other services available to assist displaced Ukrainians in the transition to life in Australia, a range of resources are listed below.
Connect with your local state-based community association and displaced people assistance committees.
Ukrainian Council of NSW financial aid for displaced Ukrainians in NSW
The Ukrainian Council of NSW has received funding to assist with accommodation support and financial hardship for displaced Ukrainians in NSW.
Various government contacts and services available to displaced people arriving to Australia.
Dnister is an Australian member-owned financial institution, which has been providing banking services for the Ukrainian community for over 60 years. Dnister can help you open an Australian bank account and transfer funds from overseas.
