Temporary Humanitarian Stay pathway
In 2022, the Australian Government offered a temporary humanitarian stay to Ukrainians in Australia. All Ukrainians in Australia who accepted this previous offer have been granted a subclass 786 visa. This previous offer is now closed.
The Australian Government continues to support Ukrainians and their family members who are in Australia because of the protracted 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 two-step process. 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 three 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 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 are the immediate family member of someone who is eligible for the offer.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, the Minister will not consider you for an offer of temporary stay.
You do not need to express interest to receive an offer
The department will contact you via email if the Minister makes you an offer of temporary humanitarian stay. We expect to contact the majority of Ukrainians eligible for this offer by October 2025.
You should keep your contact details up to date via the ‘Update us’ tab in ImmiAccount. This will ensure that if you are eligible, you receive offer information.
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.
We recommend that you consult with a registered migration agent or legal practitioner before expressing interest in, or accepting an offer for, the temporary humanitarian stay pathway.
Free legal help
Free legal help from a specialist refugee and immigration legal provider is available in your state or territory.
These providers can help you:
- if you are considering accepting an offer for the temporary humanitarian pathway
- to understand implications of the temporary humanitarian stay pathway on a Protection visa application
- if you are considering travel outside of Australia.
You can also get free legal help from legal aid or a community legal centre in your state or territory.
Temporary Humanitarian Stay (subclass 786) visa
A Temporary Humanitarian Stay (subclass 786) visa is granted for a three year period. During this time, you:
- can work and study
- 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 Adult Migrant English Program (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 holding a subclass 786 visa may enrol in their local school.
Ukrainian nationals holding a subclass 786 visa may be eligible to receive a subsidy towards childcare expenses. The percentage of subsidy a family is entitled to is based on combined annual family income and their activity levels.
For more information about child care subsidies see
Services Australia.
Next Steps
If the Minister decides to make you an offer of temporary stay, you will receive a letter via email. If you wish to accept the offer you can 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 web form. 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 wish 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.
If you want to apply for a further visa to stay in Australia and want to request a bar lift, contact the relevant visa processing area using Online forms. You must provide 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 provide details and a copy of your child’s full Australian birth certificate using 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 travel to and re-enter Australia.
Your visa will cease when you leave Australia.
If you hold a subclass 786 visa and want to travel outside Australia, contact 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.
