After years of uncertainty, almost 4000 Ukrainian war refugees living in Australia are about to be offered a pathway to full citizenship.
7NEWS can reveal the federal government has quietly signed off on a plan to allow those Ukrainians currently in Australia on Temporary 786 visas to be offered permanent residency.
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Immigration Minister Tony Burke is set to make the announcement public on Sunday.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) co-chair Kateryna Argyrou said the Ukrainian community was overjoyed.
“It’s extremely positive news for our community,” she said. “It’s something we’ve been advocating for years.”
“Many of those temporary visas were due to expire next year.
“There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of uncertainty about what would happen.
“Many families here in Australia were worried about going back to the war zone. And in some case having nothing to go back to.”
Immigration Minister Tony Bourke met with AFUO representatives to tell them the news.
“There were just tears of joy when Tony Burke said ‘welcome home’,” Argyrou said.
The Home Affairs website confirms an offer of a permanent stay in Australia will be made, on a case-by-case basis, to Ukrainian nationals who currently hold the subclass 786 Temporary (Humanitarian Concern) visas.
“Eligible individuals who are being considered for an offer of a permanent stay will be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs with an invitation to apply for a subclass 851 Resolution of Status (RoS) visa,” it states on the website.
“Ukrainian nationals who are granted a RoS will be able to stay in Australia permanently with the same rights as a permanent resident.
“This includes access to eligible social security payments, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and higher education assistance.”
Argyrou said the AFUO had conducted a recent survey of the Ukrainian community in Australia — and found more than 90 per cent of those who had fled here due to the war now want to stay permanently.
“Almost everyone wants to stay here and call Australia home,” she said.
Those who require more information are advised to head to the subclass 851 Resolution of Status (RoS) visa page.