Temporary Humanitarian Stay pathway
In 2022, the Australian Government offered a Temporary Humanitarian Stay to Ukrainians in Australia. This previous offer is now closed.
The Australian Government continues to support Ukrainians and their family members who are in Australia because of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Australian Government is making new offers of a Temporary Humanitarian Stay for eligible Ukrainians in Australia.
The Minister must invite you to apply for the Temporary Humanitarian Stay pathway. You cannot apply for this visa without an invitation.
The Temporary Humanitarian Stay pathway is a 2-step process. If eligible, you will be granted a Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) (subclass 449) visa, followed by a Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visa. We will grant the subclass 786 for 3 years.
You must meet all visa criteria for us to grant you these visas. This includes health, character and security criteria.
Who is eligible
To be eligible for an offer of temporary stay you must:
- be Ukrainian
- be in Australia holding a temporary visa
- have arrived in Australia before 31 July 2024. We extended the arrival cut-off date for the temporary stay offer - it was previously 31 July 2023
- be unable to return to your usual place of residence.
The Minister may also consider you for an offer if you are in Australia and have an immediate family member who is eligible for the offer.
You do not need to express interest to receive an offer
The department will contact you via email if the Minister makes you a Temporary Humanitarian Stay offer. We expect to contact most eligible individuals who meet the extended arrival cut-off date between January and March 2026.
You should keep your contact details up to date via the 'Update us' tab in
ImmiAccount. This will ensure that you receive offer information if you are eligible.
If you do not have an ImmiAccount, you can use the
Update contact details form .
If you have applied, or may apply for a Protection visa
If the Minister offers you a Temporary Humanitarian Stay it may affect your future visa pathway options in Australia.
Under the Migration Regulations 1994, people offered a Temporary Humanitarian Stay cannot meet the criteria for a Protection visa. This applies even if they have already lodged an application before getting an offer.
You should consult with a registered migration agent or legal practitioner before expressing interest in, or accepting an offer for, the Temporary Humanitarian Stay pathway.
Temporary Humanitarian Stay (subclass 786) visa
We grant a Temporary Humanitarian Stay (subclass 786) visa for a 3-year period. During this time, you:
- can work and study
- can access Medicare and Special Benefits
- will have full work rights.
You may also be eligible for free English language tuition under the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). For program or eligibility information, see
About the AMEP.
You will need to enrol in Medicare to get access. We will give you information about enrolment in the subclass 786 visa grant notification letter.
Ukrainian school students who hold a subclass 786 visa may enrol in their local school.
Ukrainian nationals who hold a subclass 786 visa may be eligible to receive a subsidy for childcare expenses. The percentage of subsidy a family is entitled to is based on their combined annual family income and their activity levels.
For more information about childcare subsidies, see
Services Australia.
Next Steps
If the Minister decides to make you a temporary stay offer, you will receive a letter via email. If you want to accept the offer, access the link in the letter to complete the offer acceptance and information request form. You do not need to complete a separate application form.
Each person must accept the offer individually. You cannot accept the offer on another person’s behalf. Every member of the family must complete and submit a new and separate webform. Only parents or guardians may accept the offer on behalf of a minor or person for whom they have legal guardianship.
There is no visa application charge.
Applying for another visa
Ukrainian subclass 786 visa holders who want to stay in Australia will need a bar lift to apply for a further visa.
In exceptional circumstances, we may lift the bar to allow you to make a further visa application in Australia. Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to where:
- an individual can show that by applying for and being granted another visa they are contributing to the Australian economy or society, or
- the visa they are proposing to apply for will ensure that they can maintain a family unity where Australian citizens are involved.
To apply for a further visa to stay in Australia and to request a bar lift, contact the relevant visa processing area using Online forms. You must include relevant information explaining your exceptional circumstances.
Babies born in Australia to subclass 786 holders
If you hold a subclass 786 visa and have given birth to a child in Australia, you must tell us as soon as possible. You must give us details and a copy of your child’s full Australian birth certificate. You should do this via Form 1022 - Notification of changes in circumstances (Section 104 of the Migration Act 1958).
We will tell you if there is any action you need to take.
Find more information at You had a child.
Departing Australia
If you hold a subclass 786 visa, it does not permit you to re-enter Australia.
Your visa will cease when you leave Australia.
If you hold a subclass 786 visa and want to travel outside Australia, email us before you depart at
449.786.travel.requests@homeaffairs.gov.au.
If you are considering travel outside of Australia, you should consult a registered migration agent or legal practitioner.
