Refugee & Special Humanitarian
Subclasses 200, 201, 202, 204
For people outside their home country who need resettlement. Includes the Refugee visas and the Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202), which needs an Australian supporter.
Australian Refugee & Humanitarian Program
Humanitarian Visas Australia: Compassionate Expert Help
Refugee & Humanitarian · onshore & offshore
Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program offers protection to people fleeing persecution and serious harm. The pathways are complex and the stakes are high — this is work we approach with care, honesty and rigour.
✓ Offshore & onshore pathways
✓ Community Support Program
✓ Family included
✓ Permanent protection
Which humanitarian pathway applies to you?
Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program is split by one key fact: whether you are outside Australia (offshore) or already in Australia (onshore). The two sides have completely different visas and processes.
Community Support Program
A stream of subclass 202
A community-funded route to the subclass 202, where an Approved Proposing Organisation (APO) proposes an applicant and an Australian supporter funds their settlement.
Protection visa
Subclass 866
For people already in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations under the Refugee Convention or complementary protection. A permanent visa if granted.
Offshore: Refugee & Special Humanitarian visas
These visas are for people who are outside Australia and outside their home country. They lead to permanent residency on arrival, with full work rights, Medicare and settlement support.
| Subclass | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| 200 — Refugee | People subject to persecution in their home country, living outside it, typically referred by the UNHCR |
| 201 — In-country Special Humanitarian | People still in their home country who face persecution and have no way to leave safely |
| 202 — Global Special Humanitarian | People outside their home country facing substantial discrimination, proposed by an Australian supporter |
| 204 — Woman at Risk | Women without effective protection who are in danger of victimisation, harassment or serious abuse |
These offshore visas carry no Visa Application Charge — the Australian Government does not charge a visa fee for the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. Places are capped each year and demand far exceeds supply, so a well-prepared, well-evidenced application matters enormously.
The Community Support Program (CSP)
The Community Support Program is a stream of the Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202) that lets communities, families and businesses sponsor someone in humanitarian need — funding their arrival and first year of settlement.
How it works
- An Approved Proposing Organisation (APO) proposes an eligible applicant to the Department of Home Affairs
- An Australian supporter provides an Assurance of Support and funds settlement costs
- On grant, the applicant arrives as a permanent resident with 12 months of APO settlement support
Who can apply
- Applicants who meet all subclass 202 criteria and the Government's settlement priorities
- Typically aged 18–50 with skills or attributes to become financially self-sufficient within 12 months
- A connection to Australia through family, community or business
What changed in 2026
- New CSP regulations took effect on 1 July 2026
- The Government can now set specific priorities — such as work experience or English level
- APOs are reopening to accept new Expressions of Interest (EOI)
How we help
- We are not an APO — proposals must come through an Approved Proposing Organisation
- We prepare and strengthen the application, evidence and Assurance of Support, and work alongside the APO
- We help supporters understand their financial and legal commitments before they sign
Under the CSP, airfares, medical checks and settlement costs are met by the supporter, and changing sponsors mid-process can disqualify the application. Because the 2026 rules and each APO's criteria change, we confirm the current settings before you commit.
Onshore: the Protection visa (subclass 866)
If you are already in Australia on a valid visa and fear returning to your home country, you may be able to apply for a permanent Protection visa (subclass 866). This is a serious legal process, and the requirements are strict.
Who it is for
- People in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations under the Refugee Convention
- Or who meet the complementary protection criteria — a real risk of significant harm on return
- You must generally hold a valid substantive visa (not have arrived unlawfully) to apply
What is involved
- A detailed written claim setting out your fear of harm, supported by evidence
- An interview with the Department of Home Affairs
- If refused, limited review rights may apply — timeframes are strict and unforgiving
We will give you an honest assessment of whether a Protection visa fits your situation — we do not lodge applications that have no genuine basis, and we will tell you plainly if another pathway is more appropriate. If you have received a departure or bridging notice, seek advice urgently, as deadlines cannot usually be extended.
Our professional fees
Fixed fees, payable in instalments. Consultation fees are credited towards our agreement if you engage us.
| Service | AUD (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & assessment — online | $190 |
| Face-to-face consultation — Melbourne or Adelaide | $290 |
| Humanitarian visa application & follow-up | $4,200 |
Professional fees only. Offshore Refugee and Humanitarian visas carry no Government Visa Application Charge; the onshore Protection visa and associated costs (medical checks, police clearances, translations) are additional and confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. See our full fee schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between offshore and onshore humanitarian visas?
Offshore visas — Refugee (200, 201, 204) and Global Special Humanitarian (202) — are for people outside Australia who need resettlement. The onshore Protection visa (subclass 866) is for people already in Australia who fear returning home. They are entirely separate processes with different criteria, and which one applies depends on where the person is right now.
What is the Community Support Program (CSP)?
The Community Support Program is a stream of the Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202). An Approved Proposing Organisation (APO) proposes an eligible applicant, and an Australian supporter provides an Assurance of Support and funds the applicant's arrival and first year of settlement. New CSP regulations took effect on 1 July 2026, allowing the Government to set specific priorities such as work experience or English level.
Do humanitarian visas cost anything?
The offshore Refugee and Humanitarian visas (subclasses 200, 201, 202 and 204) carry no Government Visa Application Charge. Under the Community Support Program, however, the Australian supporter funds airfares, medical checks and settlement costs. The onshore Protection visa (subclass 866) and its associated costs are handled separately. Our professional fee for a humanitarian application and follow-up is AUD $4,200.
Is Millennium Migration an Approved Proposing Organisation?
No, we are not an APO. Under the Community Support Program, only an Approved Proposing Organisation can propose an applicant to the Department of Home Affairs. Our role is to prepare and strengthen the application, evidence and Assurance of Support, and to work alongside the APO — and to help supporters understand their commitments before they sign.
Who can apply for a Woman at Risk visa (subclass 204)?
The Woman at Risk visa (subclass 204) is for women, and their dependants, who are living outside their home country without the protection of a male relative and are in danger of victimisation, harassment or serious human rights abuse. It is part of Australia's offshore humanitarian program and, like the other offshore visas, carries no visa application charge.
Can I apply for a Protection visa if I'm already in Australia?
Possibly. The onshore Protection visa (subclass 866) is for people in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations under the Refugee Convention, or who meet the complementary protection criteria. You generally need to hold a valid substantive visa to apply. It is a serious legal process with strict deadlines, so if you are considering it — or have received a departure notice — seek advice urgently.
Need humanitarian help — for yourself or someone you love?
Tell us the situation, wherever the person is right now. We will explain the pathways honestly, tell you which visa realistically fits, and what the next step is. There is no judgement here, only careful help.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not migration advice. Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704 — verify on the OMARA register.