SERVICES LINKS
- SETTLING IN AUSTRALIA – AFUO
- HELP COMING TO AUSTRALIA – AFUO
- SERVICES in TASMANIA – Refugee Council of Australia
- UKRAINE VISA SUPPORT
1. VISAS:
Ø Visas subclass 600 for Ukrainians have been prioritised:
The Department is supporting Australia’s response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine and is progressing outstanding visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, across all visa categories.
The Department has finalised hundreds of on-hand applications over recent time.
Close family members can apply on behalf of their family members in Ukraine. The Department provides advice on who can help with a visa application at using a migration agent (homeaffairs.gov.au). Currently Visitor visa subclass 600 is under fast track option and they are being processed within 24 hours, 7 days a week.
The Prime Minister has also announced that automatic visa extensions for 6 months will be given to Ukrainian nationals in Australia who have a visa expiring before 30 June 2022.
Visa holders do not need to do anything to receive this extension. The Department is contacting visa holders in Australia who have visas expiring soon to make arrangements if they wish to remain in Australia.
Enquiries from Ukrainian temporary visa holders in Australia and those waiting on a visa outcome or looking for visa options, can be directed to:
Global Service Centre (In Australia)
Phone: 131 881
· More information on how to apply is available here: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help…/ukraine-visa-support
· How to apply for visa – step-to-step instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF3PlcWBsrE
Ø On 20 March 2022, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, announced that the Government will make available a temporary humanitarian visa to Ukrainians forced to flee from Russia’s military invasion, and who have arrived in Australia.
o This visa will be valid for three years and allow people to work, study and access Medicare, alongside support facilitated by Australia’s experienced Humanitarian Settlement Program providers.
The Department will provide further advice in the coming days to support the transition of affected Ukrainians onto a 786 visa.
Further, the Government will work closely with the Ukrainian community to ensure permanent visa options are made available to this cohort at an appropriate time.
· This is the same manner in which the Government is providing permanent pathway options to Afghan subclass 449 holders in Australia.
Additional support, facilitated by Australia’s experienced Humanitarian Settlement Program providers, will help Ukrainian temporary humanitarian visa holders to find long-term accommodation, and gain access to Medicare and other relevant social support services.
From the roundtable with Alex Hawke on 21/03/2022 about temporary humanitarian visa – 786:
· Currently Australian government are focused on providing successful migration experience to all willing to come and resettle in Australia
· So far we have 750 people have already arrived in Australia on a tourist visa
· Anyone on 600 visa or any other temp visa will be eligible to apply for the new 786 visa
· There will be no caps or limitations for now
· This is a unique visa and so working out the procedure and all the benefits that come with it is still work in progress, however the Minister has assured that there are dedicated teams working and this will be done ASAP (~ in the coming weeks)
· Times to process the new visa will be 1-2 weeks wait time
· Anyone who has received 786 visa will then be eligible to apply or a permanent residency when they are ready, people will decide themselves when they want to apply for PR within those 3 years of 786 visa
· As mentioned the department are also working closely with other public services providers to ensure the access to housing (which is a pressure across Australia, but they will try their best), schools (same as housing), child care services for kids under school age also work in progress, English language program will be available for kids and adults
· There will be no fee for this visa
· But this visa is not a multi entry visa, so the department will be thinking as well about accommodating travelling facility for people on this visa
· With regards to people coming on a 600 visa without a valid travel document – Minister asked to contact the department as this is case to case based situation where individual circumstances have to considered, but so far the department have been managing this well. Please contact the department – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/telephone
FAQ for anyone willing to travel to or planning to help their family and friends to come to Australia:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcxLzLv_S4wBhqPsacO2qp1mPDMenwRCXrUE40FOYDM/edit
Ø The Australia Government has two main options that are available for people outside Australia the Refugee visa (sub Class 200) and the Global Special Humanitarian (Sub Class 201) visa.
The Refugee Visa allows you to move to Australia if you are subject to persecution in your home country. These visas allow you and your family to live, work and study indefinitely in Australia. The Australian Government will pay for your travel and other costs before you arrive in Australia, including medical examinations and cultural orientation overseas. The decision process could take many months; however, the Commonwealth Government have set up a special unit to process these visas for the Ukraine community and the current estimated time for processing is 5 weeks. The Global Special Humanitarian visa provides you with all the same benefits of the refugee visa but takes a shorter time to process about 3-4 weeks it does require more supporting information and the Australian Government will not pay for your travel and other costs.
· https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/refugee-200 – Refugee Visa
· https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/global-special-humanitarian-202 – Global Special Humanitarian Visa
Ø The Department of Premier and Cabinet have spoken to DFAT regarding this on 9/3/22 and they have agreed a process where Ukraine’s who choose to settle in Tasmania will be priorities subject to the State being able to ensure community support and other mechanisms such as housing.
Ø Community Support if resettled – The Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) promotes the skills and knowledge needed for people from refugee and humanitarian backgrounds to begin their new lives in Australia and to build the skills to participate in Australia’s economic and social life. The HSP provides early practical support to humanitarian entrants on arrival, and throughout their initial settlement period, generally for up to 18 months after their arrival to Australia. Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) delivers local, place based HSP services in Tasmania, in collaboration with AMES Australia. You can contact the HSP team in either Hobart (03) 6221 0999 or Launceston (03) 6724 2820.
Ø Tasmanian Refugee Legal services – assistance to community members with visa applications for family members who have fled Ukraine and are living as refugees. Office number is 03 6169 9473, Mon-Fri normal business hours.
What is provided?
· face to face, social media or telephone advice, regarding refugee, asylum seeker and/or humanitarian entrant related issues;
· helping you with your visa application;
· accompanying you to your interview with the Department of Home Affairs;
· preparing and advocating for you before the Immigration Assessment Authority or Administrative Appeals Tribunal;
· preparing and representing you in your Judicial Review before the Federal Circuit Court; and
· Assisting you with your Ministerial Intervention Request. Issues;
Fact sheet and the forms to apply for refugee/humanitarian visas are here – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12yUR_upFs-bpbLfT_lDvffqMHoVY7oyf?usp=sharing
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Temporary Visa Holder (Includes 600 visa + Ukrainian nationals)
State Government funding
No cash payments
This is for emergency relief – not ongoing payment
Ø CatholicCare Tasmania – 35 Tower Road, New Town 7008
How to contact?
Email tvhsupport@aohtas.org.au and introduce self. Explain needs and ask for an appointment.
What is provided?
– Food vouchers
– Petrol Vouchers
– Chemist voucher
– Part payment of accounts
This list is not complete – example only
Ø Migrant Resource Centre Northern Tasmania – Launceston
How to contact?
Phone: 6332 2211
Visit: 95-99 Cameron Street, Launceston, and ask for temporary visa holder support
What is provided?
– Food vouchers
– Petrol Vouchers
– Chemist voucher
– Part payment of accounts
This list is not complete – example only
Ø St Vincent de Paul – Hobart, Launceston, Burnie
How to contact?
Phone (South): 6234 4244 Phone (North): 6326 5551 Phone (North West): 6432 2323
What is provided?
– As above, also includes food parcels, rent assistance, part payment of outstanding accounts, clothing, blankets
2. English & Employment Support
Ø Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania – Hobart
a) ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB – For adults
All levels
• Listen and speak
• Meet friendly people
• Grow your confidence
Where: Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) – Level 2, 1a Anfield Street, Glenorchy
When: 3:00pm – 4:30pm on Tuesdays during school term.
Contact Settlement team for more information:
• Phone: 03 6221 0999. If you need an interpreter, please call 131450 (TIS) first then ask them to call Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania. OR
• Email: settlement@mrctas.org.au
It is essential to register at https://forms.office.com/r/5e3vvfbHYt so that we can provide COVID-safe sessions for participants.
b) CAR CAFÉ
Come along to this ‘Road Rules and English for Driving Practice’ study group! You will learn:
· Road rules to get a learner licence and to pass the driving test.
· English for driving practice so you can understand your driving instructor/mentor
Car Café has a different topic each week:
Week 1: Buying a car (new car, used car, inspection, motor traders, dealers, safe contract and money transition)
Week 2: Car registration (Rego)
Week 3: Insurance (car accident, comprehensive/ third party insurance, compare insurance)
Week 4: Maintenance and services (basic car maintenance services, maintenance checklist, schedule car maintenance)
Week 5: Long road trips (risky driving conditions, wildlife and wild weather, emergency assistance)
Where: Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) – Level 2, 1a Anfield Street, Glenorchy
When: 10:00am – 11:30 am on Fridays during school term.
Contact the Settlement Team for more information:
• Phone: 03 6221 0999. If you need an interpreter, please call 131450 (TIS) first then ask them to call Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania. OR
• Email: settlement@mrctas.org.au
It is essential to register at https://forms.office.com/r/ETbRT2DHtG so that we can provide COVID-safe sessions for participants.
c) Migrant Network
www.migrantnetworktas.org.au – check out the website first – it has great information and will tell you how to be involved
d) Career Coaching Series
Career Coaching – Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (mrctas.org.au)
Ø CatholicCare Tasmania – Hobart
CatholicCare Tasmania runs SAFE HAVEN HUB. If you have work rights, you can access their services to receive support in looking for work. The HUB does not provide jobs for you – they help to prepare you for work, support applications and prepare for interviews.
Call 1300 938 081
3. Counselling and Wellbeing – For urgent personal assistance, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are worried about someone else’s safety and need an urgent response, call 000.
Ø Phoenix Centre – Hobart
How to contact?
Phone 62210937 and ask for an appointment
Email reception@mrctas.org.au (general MRC Tas reception – introduce yourself only. A counsellor will get back to you.
Go on the website and use the contact form: mrctas.org.au/contact-us
What services are available?
Phoenix Centre – Counselling – Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (mrctas.org.au)
The Phoenix Centre is a specialist mental health service that operates as part of the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania. The Phoenix Centre provides therapeutic and individual mental health and wellbeing support, mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, and capacity building activities to people from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background. It also provides specialist support for survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences and their communities. Services are delivered in both Hobart and Launceston and include counselling, psycho educational group work, social connections programs, and community development activities. Phoenix Centre services are free and confidential (for eligible clients), and conducted by qualified counsellors and other staff, along with accredited interpreters as needed. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances (migration pathway and background). There may be some people within the Ukrainian community in Tasmania that (irrespective of length of time in Australia) may be eligible for free services.
Ø CatholicCare Tasmania (CCT) – Hobart, Burnie (?) Launceston
How to contact:
Hobart: 62781660
Launceston: 63320600
CCT deliver a range of support programs (in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport) that respond to the needs of individuals, families and the community, regardless of background or circumstance. Their counselling team have availability for adults in their general counselling stream for anyone struggling with this or other mental health related needs, or have anxiety around the situation in the Ukraine. Unfortunately there is currently a few week wait for children’s counselling. Counselling is available Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and is free for anyone on a concession card or it is income based (charged $1 per $1000 they earn per year). E.g. If you earn $40k, it is $40 per session. However, please let them know if you cannot afford the fee – there may be flexibility.
4. Finding lost family and friends – Australian Red Cross – Statewide
How to contact?
Phone 1800 875 199
Red Cross starts tracing service for people missing in Ukraine conflict | Australian Red Cross
Those who have not been able to reach family members in Ukraine or Russia, please call the Australian Red Cross RFL hotline on 1800 875 199 for assistance. We can collect an enquiry, but it may take some time before we can provide an update on your case, as teams in Ukraine work through a challenging operational environment.
Information on crossing Australian borders:
Please check Covid-19 regulations from your airlines that you are planning to travel with to Australia. The rules may be different as all airlines operating in different countries, so AUT is not able to provide updated info on this.
As for Australian borders crossing, information and Covid-19 requirements are available here and will differ depending on the state you are arriving in:
1. https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers
2. https://www.australia.gov.au/international-travel
International arrivals who meet other Australian entry requirements are not subject to additional requirements to enter Tasmania. Read more about coming to Tasmania. For more info, please visit – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania
There are currently no entry requirements in place for any travellers to Tasmania arriving by air or sea (other than cruise ships) – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
Checklist of steps: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/preparing-to-travel-to-australia-from-overseas
Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania 