LOCAL refugee advocates are calling for smoother, faster pathways to permanent residency for people on temporary protection visas.<\/p>\n
Refugee Legal, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council and Ballarat Afghan Action Group hosted a free legal information session for refugees on TPVs last week, also covering family reunion and sponsorship.<\/p>\n
The groups are aiming to offer ongoing support in these spaces, with Afghan refugees front of mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn 14 February 2023, the Federal Government abandoned the cruel policy of temporary protection for refugees,\u201d BAAG member David Mac Phail said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRefugees who are on a temporary protection visa or safe haven enterprise visa are now eligible to apply for a permanent resolution of status visa.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrent applications to renew expired TPVs or SHEVs will automatically be converted to RoS visa applications. Those still waiting for a decision will be granted a RoS Visa once their need for refugee protection is determined.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new policy makes about 19,000 people eligible to apply for resolution of status visas, which will provide them with the same entitlements as other permanent residents, including Centrelink, higher education loans, access to the NDIS, the ability to apply for family reunification, and eventually to apply for Australian citizenship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe transition to permanency for most of the 19,000 eligible people is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abdul Rasuli is an Afghan refugee, engineering student and BAAG member and who has been in Australia for a decade.<\/p>\n
Mr Rasuli has applied for a RoS Visa but is yet to find out if he has been successful.<\/p>\n
He said he\u2019d like to see the applications of those seeking asylum processed at a much faster rate so separated families can be together, skilled workers can contribute to the community, and others can be educated.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamily reunion is very important. Some people, kids, wives are waiting, and are vulnerable people that need help the most,\u201d he said. \u201cOf course, some want to study, so they should be able to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot everyone has had the support that I\u2019ve had but people should be able to have the same opportunities, like going to university.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe RoS Visa processing is slow. They only give two or three a day, so it would take 14 years to give 19,000 people a visa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening in the department.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are about 10 to 12 Afghan refugees in Ballarat on temporary visas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL refugee advocates are calling for smoother, faster pathways to permanent residency for people on temporary protection visas. Refugee Legal, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council and Ballarat Afghan Action Group hosted a free legal information session for refugees on TPVs last week, also covering family reunion and sponsorship. The groups are aiming to offer ongoing support […]<\/p>\n