Regional and Rural Settlement – Ukranians

The Humanitarian Settlement Program provides early practical support to humanitarian entrants on arrival, and throughout their initial settlement period.

Regional and Rural Settlement – Ukranians

Rural and Regional settlement has become popular amongst many newly arrived refugee and humanitarian client groups.

Settlement in regional Victoria has risen from 3% in 2005 to 13% by 2017. The most popular areas are Geelong, Shepparton and Mildura with smaller numbers also going to Bendigo, Ballarat and Swan Hill.

Mt Gambier, which is the second largest city in South Australia outside of the state capital Adelaide, has also been increasingly appealing for newly arrived humanitarian entrants.

In Tasmania, the area of Launceston has also seen an increase in humanitarian resettlement.

Visa Information for Ukranians

The Australian Government offer of a temporary humanitarian stay in Australia is a two-step process which involves issuing a Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) (subclass 449) visa followed by a Temporary (Humanitarian Concern) (subclass 786) visa.

Subclass 449 Visa

Ukrainian nationals on subclass 449 visas:

• have full work rights and are eligible to receive Special Benefit payments.
• may 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).
• can receive full support under the Government funded Humanitarian Settlement Program. This is through contracted providers in each State/Territory. See contact details below.​

As a subclass 449 holder you are not eligible to access Medicare.

Issuing a subclass 786 visa

The subclass 449 notification letter will also outline any further information required from you in order to process the subclass 786 visa. This may include:

• completing health and character checks (some costs may be associated with these checks)
  • Note: any health issues identified as part of your health check will not result in a visa refusal.
• completing a character declaration if the Government cannot rely on checks completed as part of another visa application

Once you have completed the health checks (if asked) and the character declaration (if asked), the Government will process and grant the subclass 786 visa.

​The Department will ensure that individuals progress to a subclass 786 visa as quickly as possible.​​​

You will be notified of the grant of a subclass 786 visa through a notification letter sent to you via email.

Following the grant of a subclass 786 visa

The subclass 786 visa will be granted for a three year period. During this time, you can work, study and access Medicare, Special Benefits and you 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 receive access. We will provide details about enrolment in the 786 visa grant notification letter.

Ukrainian school students on the subclass 786 visa may be enrolled in their local school. They will attract Commonwealth school funding on the same basis as other Australian students.

Ukrainian nationals on subclass 786 visas 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, visit Services Australia.​

Additionally, you will be eligible to access settlement support under the Government funded Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP). This is delivered through contracted providers in each State/Territory – HSP service provider.

Enquiries from Ukrainian visa holders regarding their visa status in Australia can be directed to the Global Service Centre (In Australia) Phone: 131 881.