Australia's Community-Driven Humanitarian Visa
Visa Subclass 202 – Global Special Humanitarian Visa Australia
Permanent Protection for People Facing Human Rights Abuses — With the Support of Someone in Australia
Australia's Special Humanitarian Program has one defining feature that sets it apart from other parts of the offshore refugee system. It relies on a direct human connection — a person or organisation already in Australia who cares enough about someone overseas to stand up and formally propose them for resettlement.
That is the heart of the Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian Visa. It is a permanent visa for people who are living outside their home country, who have experienced substantial discrimination or serious human rights violations, and who have an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen willing to support their application and their arrival in Australia.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents work with both proposers and applicants to navigate this process carefully and correctly — making sure every application is as strong as it can be.
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Visa Overview
What Is the Visa Subclass 202?
The Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian Visa is a permanent Australian visa. It sits within Australia's Offshore Refugee and Humanitarian Program (ORHP) — the same program that includes the SC 200 (Refugee), SC 201 (In-Country Special Humanitarian), SC 203 (Emergency Rescue), and SC 204 (Woman at Risk) visas.
What makes the SC 202 distinct within this group is its structure around proposers and the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP). Where the other subclasses are largely driven by UNHCR referrals or government-designated programs, the SC 202 is the visa for individuals who have a direct connection to someone in Australia — someone willing to formally sponsor their resettlement and take on the responsibilities that come with it.
The key trigger for this visa is substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of human rights in the applicant's home country. This is a specific legal standard — not general hardship or economic difficulty. When you apply for the SC 202, the Department of Home Affairs automatically considers your application against all five Class XB visa subclasses simultaneously.
Key Features of the Visa Subclass 202
- Permanent visa — live and work in Australia indefinitely
- Requires a proposer who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- For people living outside their home country who face gross human rights violations
- No visa application charge
- Immediate family members can be included in the application
- Access to settlement support services, Centrelink, and Medicare on arrival
- Travel to and from Australia permitted within the first five years
- Assessed alongside all other Class XB refugee and humanitarian subclasses simultaneously
Eligibility Threshold
What Does Substantial Discrimination Mean?
This is the most important eligibility question for SC 202 applications. Substantial discrimination means the applicant has experienced conduct in their home country that amounts to a gross violation of human rights. It is a specific legal standard — not general hardship or economic difficulty. The Department considers documented examples such as the following.
Arbitrary interference with your privacy or family life
Being denied access to education
Being deprived of all means of earning a livelihood
Being forced to live in substandard conditions
Being watched or pressured to act as an informer
Removal of citizenship rights
Being denied a passport
Arbitrary interference with correspondence or communications
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply — The Applicant and the Proposer
The SC 202 has two main parties — the proposer and the applicant — and both need to meet their own set of requirements. Understanding both sides of the application is essential before lodging.
Applicant Requirements
- Be living outside Australia and outside their home country at the time of application
- Have experienced substantial discrimination or a gross violation of human rights in their home country
- Have a proposer who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian-based organisation
- Be able to satisfy the four compelling reasons test, health, character, and national security requirements
- Not owe any outstanding debt to the Australian Government
- Be at least 18 years of age to sign the Australian Values Statement
Proposer Requirements
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen — or an Australian-based organisation
- Be willing to meet the applicant on arrival, provide initial housing, and offer financial and social support during early settlement
- Complete and sign Form 681 committing to support obligations
- Note: people who arrived in Australia by boat may not be eligible to act as a proposer, even if they have since become a citizen or permanent resident
Visa Advantages
Key Benefits of the Visa Subclass 202
Permanent Residency From the Day of Grant
The SC 202 is a permanent visa. There is no temporary phase, no points test to pass later, and no employer to keep happy. Once it is granted, the holder is a permanent resident of Australia with no expiry on their visa status.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
After meeting the standard residency requirements — currently four years of living in Australia with at least one year as a permanent resident — SC 202 holders can apply for Australian citizenship. For many, this is the ultimate goal.
Right to Work and Study Without Restriction
SC 202 holders can work in any job and enrol in any educational institution in Australia. There is no occupation restriction and no limit tied to an employer.
Access to Government Services on Arrival
On arrival, SC 202 holders are entitled to Centrelink income support, Medicare healthcare coverage, and the Humanitarian Settlement Program — which provides practical assistance with housing, school enrolment, English language training, employment, and community orientation. Up to 510 hours of English classes are also available through the Adult Migrant English Program.
No Application Fee
The SC 202 has no visa application charge. The Australian Government also covers the cost of medical and health examinations required for the visa assessment. The costs involved are primarily practical travel and documentation costs rather than formal government charges.
Travel Flexibility for Five Years
Once granted, the SC 202 allows the holder to travel to and from Australia freely within the first five years. After that, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) may be needed to return to Australia if the travel facility has expired.
A Proposer Already Committed to Helping
Beyond the formal legal benefits, the SC 202's proposer requirement means that applicants arrive with someone already committed to meeting them at the airport, providing initial accommodation, and helping them settle. This makes the settlement experience fundamentally different from arriving entirely alone.
The Proposer's Role
Understanding the Proposer's Obligations
One of the most important things to understand about the SC 202 is what it actually means to be a proposer. It is more than signing a form. It is a genuine commitment that the Department of Home Affairs takes seriously.
What the Proposer Commits To
- Meeting the applicant at the airport on arrival in Australia
- Providing temporary accommodation while the applicant finds their footing
- Offering financial support in the early period of settlement
- Helping connect the new arrival with community services, employment, and English classes
Travel Cost Assistance
- The proposer is responsible for the applicant's travel costs to Australia if needed
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) may assist through their prepaid migration travel program
- The No-Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is available for those who cannot cover costs upfront
- Humanitarian settlement services take over much of the long-term support role after arrival
Document Checklist
Documents Required for the Visa Subclass 202
Both the proposer and the applicant need to prepare their parts of the application carefully. As of 1 July 2025, everything is submitted online through ImmiAccount — there is no longer a paper option for most applicants.
For the Proposer
- Form 681 — completed and submitted online via ImmiAccount. Sets out the proposer's identity, relationship to the applicant, and commitment to support obligations
- Evidence of proposer's status — citizenship certificate, passport, or evidence of permanent residency
- Evidence of the proposer's relationship to the applicant
For the Applicant
- Form 842 — completed in full. Part G is critical — it must explain in detail how the applicant experienced substantial discrimination and why they cannot safely return
- Good quality copies of all available identity documents — passport, national identity card, birth certificates
- Two passport-style photographs for each applicant
- UNHCR refugee registration certificate (if registered)
Supporting Evidence
- Evidence of substantial discrimination — witness statements, medical records, official notices, news reports, or letters from organisations
- Evidence of connection to Australia and the proposer
- Health examination results (Australian Government covers costs)
- Police clearances where obtainable
- Relationship evidence for any family members included
- Certified translations of all non-English documents
Application Costs
Visa Subclass 202 Cost
The SC 202 does not carry a visa application charge. The Australian Government also covers the cost of medical and health examinations required for the assessment. The costs involved are primarily practical — document translation, police clearances, and travel to Australia.
| Cost Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge | Nil — not applicable to SC 202 |
| Health Examination | Covered by Australian Government |
| Police Clearances | Required — costs vary by country |
| Document Translations | Required for all non-English documents |
| Travel to Australia | Proposer responsible — IOM NILS assistance may be available |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | Contact Us |
Note: Travel costs to Australia are the responsibility of the proposer, though the International Organization for Migration (IOM) may assist through their prepaid migration travel program or the No-Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) for eligible cases.
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility Assessment for Both Proposer and Applicant
The SC 202 involves two parties with two different sets of obligations and eligibility criteria. We begin by assessing both sides — the proposer's eligibility and obligations, and the applicant's circumstances, the strength of their case for substantial discrimination, and whether the four compelling reasons are likely to be met. We also review whether the split family provisions apply, which can significantly change the nature of the application.
Personal Statement and Evidence Preparation
The applicant's personal statement is the most important document in the entire application. It needs to be honest, detailed, and structured to address exactly what the Department is looking for. We work with applicants and proposers to ensure this statement is prepared carefully, and that all supporting evidence is organised and relevant.
Form 681 and Form 842 Preparation
We prepare both forms — Form 681 for the proposer and Form 842 for the applicant — and review every supporting document before anything is submitted. Since everything now goes online through ImmiAccount, it is important that the forms are completed correctly and all documents are properly attached and labelled.
Online Lodgement via ImmiAccount
We manage the lodgement process through ImmiAccount, ensuring the application is submitted correctly, completely, and with all required components in place. We handle the technical aspects of online lodgement so that nothing is missed or incorrectly formatted.
Post-Lodgement Follow-Up and Support
After lodgement, we stay involved. If the Department requests additional information, we respond promptly. We advise both the proposer and applicant to notify the Department of any changes in circumstances — contact details, family composition, or change in location. We monitor the application and keep both parties informed until a decision is issued.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The SC 202 is not a straightforward application, and the stakes are high for everyone involved. For the applicant, it represents the possibility of safety and a new life in Australia. For the proposer, it is a legal commitment with real ongoing responsibilities. Getting the application wrong — incomplete forms, a weak personal statement, missing documents, or an incorrect lodgement — can result in a refusal that cannot be appealed.
Our MARA-registered migration agents have experience working with humanitarian applications across the full range of Class XB subclasses. We understand what the Department looks for when assessing substantial discrimination claims. We know how to prepare a personal statement that is clear, detailed, and structured to address the four compelling reasons directly. We understand the split family provisions in depth — including both their potential and their limitations.
The move to mandatory online lodgement via ImmiAccount from 1 July 2025 adds another layer of complexity for applicants and proposers who are not familiar with the Department's online systems. We manage that process completely, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Transparent Process
Regular updates at every stage so both the proposer and applicant always know where things stand.
Experienced Handling
Sensitive, professional management of humanitarian applications — we understand what the Department expects and how to present your case clearly.
Support for Both Parties
Dedicated support for both the proposer and the applicant — from eligibility assessment and personal statement preparation through to visa grant.
Ready to Apply for the Subclass 202 Visa?
The Global Special Humanitarian Visa brings together someone in danger and someone in Australia who is willing to help — and turns that human connection into a formal, permanent legal outcome. Preparing a strong SC 202 application takes more than filling in two forms. The personal statement needs to be right. The evidence needs to be comprehensive. The forms need to be accurate. And since July 2025, everything goes through ImmiAccount. Our MARA-registered agents bring the experience and attention to detail that humanitarian applications demand — supporting both the proposer and the applicant from start to finish.
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