Offshore Humanitarian Visa Subclasses
| Subclass | Category | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Refugee | People in UNHCR-assessed need of resettlement outside their home country |
| 201 | In-Country Special Humanitarian | People inside their country of nationality facing persecution |
| 202 | Global Special Humanitarian | People proposed by an Australian citizen or PR |
| 203 | Emergency Rescue | Cases requiring urgent resettlement due to immediate risk |
| 204 | Woman at Risk | Women with dependants in particularly vulnerable situations |
How Most Offshore Places Are Allocated
The vast majority of Australia's annual humanitarian intake goes to people referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or through government-to-government arrangements. These places are determined by government policy each year and are not accessible through individual or agent application.
What this means practically is that most people cannot directly apply for subclass 200, 201, 203, or 204 — they need to be referred through UNHCR or a government process. The exception is subclass 202, which is accessible through a community proposal process.
Subclass 202 — The Community Proposal
The Global Special Humanitarian category (202) allows an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to formally propose a family member or person of humanitarian concern for resettlement. The proposer does not guarantee financial support but formally presents the person's case to the Department.
To lodge a 202 proposal, the proposer must:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be able to demonstrate the proposed person is in humanitarian need
- Not be a registered organisation (organisations use the Community Support Program instead)
The proposed person must be outside Australia and outside their country of nationality (or habitual residence if stateless).
Community Support Program
The Community Support Program (CSP) is a separately funded pathway that allows approved proposing organisations — community groups, employers, or other bodies — to support specific individuals for resettlement. CSP places supplement the government-funded humanitarian program and are processed separately.
Processing
Offshore humanitarian cases are processed by Australian embassies and High Commissions, in coordination with UNHCR where relevant. Processing involves Department assessment, health examinations, security checks, and sometimes biometric collection. Timeframes vary significantly by country and case circumstances.
After Arrival
Successful offshore humanitarian visa holders arrive in Australia as permanent residents. They are eligible for settlement services, including the Humanitarian Settlement Program, which provides assistance with housing, language, and community orientation.