Business case for hiring Level the playing field Reports and resources to support business case Data to support the business case
Tips for success Refugee employment services At the start Adapt how you recruit Onboarding and ongoing support Resources for a multicultural workforce Visas Government programs and subsidies

Common visas 

These are the most common types of visas granted to refugees in Australia:

Permanent protection visas

People holding a permanent protection visa have the right to work.

Refugee visa (subclass 200)

This visa is for people who are subject to persecution in their home country and are in need of resettlement. The majority of applicants considered under this category are identified by the UNHCR and referred to the Australian Government for resettlement consideration.

In-Country special humanitarian programme visa (subclass 201)

This visa offers resettlement to people who have suffered persecution in their country of nationality or usual residence and who have not been able to seek refuge elsewhere. It is for those living in their home country and subject to persecution there.

Global special humanitarian programme visa (subclass 202)

The Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP) visa is for people who, while not being refugees, are subject to substantial discrimination and human rights abuses in their home country. People who wish to be considered for a SHP visa must be proposed for entry by an Australian citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18, an eligible New Zealand citizen or an organisation operating in Australia.

Emergency rescue visa (subclass 203)

The visa offers an accelerated processing arrangement for people who satisfy refugee criteria and whose lives or freedom depend on urgent resettlement. It is for those subject to persecution in their home country and assessed to be in a situation such that delays due to normal processing could put their life or freedom in danger.

Woman at risk visa (subclass 204)

This visa is for female applicants, and their dependents who are subject to persecution or are of concern to the UNHCR, are living outside their home country without the protection of a male relative and are in danger of victimisation, harassment or serious abuse because of their gender. The majority of applicants who are considered under this category are identified and referred to the Australian Government by the UNHCR.

Protection visa (subclass 866)

This visa allows a person who arrived in Australia on a valid visa, and engaged Australia’s protection obligations, to live in Australia permanently.

Temporary protection visas

Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) (subclass 785)

This visa allows a person who arrived in Australia without a valid visa, and engaged Australia’s protection obligations (including if they are found to be a refugee), to stay in Australia temporarily, up to three years. People have the right to work, and can access Medicare and Centrelink benefits. The government can grant subsequent TPVs to people, on application, if the person is determined to be in need of protection for another three years.

Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) (subclass 790)

This visa allows a person who arrived in Australia without a valid visa, and engaged Australia’s protection obligations (including if they are found to be a refugee), to stay in Australia temporarily, up to five years, if they or a member of their family intends to work and/or study in regional Australia. Regional Australia is defined as including all of South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory (including the capital cities).

Bridging visas

BVA (subclass 010)

BVB (subclass 020)

BVC (subclass 030)

BVE (subclass 050
and subclass 051)

Bridging visas are temporary visas provided to non-citizens (including people claiming asylum) that allow them to remain lawfully in Australia while their visa application is being considered, during the judicial review process, or in preparation for leaving Australia.

Whether a person on another bridging visa is allowed to work will depend on the visa conditions.

The most common conditions relating to work are conditions 8101, 8102, 8103 and 8104.

Condition 8101 does not allow the person to work.

Condition 8102 allows the person to work in relation to a course of study or training.

Condition 8103 allows the person to seek the government’s permission to receive a salary in Australia.

Condition 8104 allows the person to work for 40 hours a fortnight or less.

BVD (subclass 040)

BVD explicitly prohibits the visa holder to work.

More information

See the Commonwealth government department website.