Permanent pathways for refugees
The Uniting Church Assembly welcomes plans to end temporary visas for refugees
February 15, 2023
The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly welcomes news that the Australian Government will end temporary protection visas, providing a permanent pathway for more than 19,000 refugees in Australia.
“This decision will mean that thousands of people can start living a life of stability and reunite with their families."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
“We welcome this news and the hope it brings for many people who can now plan for and build their future here,” said Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis.
“This decision will mean that thousands of people can start living a life of stability and reunite with their families.”
“We thank the Albanese Government for honouring their election commitment to provide a permanent pathway for those refugees who have been on temporary visas for the past 10 years.”
Under the changes, people who have a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) will be able to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status (RoS) Visa. Once granted a RoS Visa, they can apply to sponsor family members through the migration program and receive the same rights as other permanent residents, including access to government support for things like tertiary education and disability support.
It is expected the process of converting temporary protection visas to permanent ones will be complete early next year.
The Uniting Church, a member of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce, has long been an advocate for better policies to support refugees and people seeking asylum, including for permanent protection for people found to be refugees.
“Inspired by the love and compassion of Jesus, our vision is for Australia to be a nation that treats all people equally and fairly.”
President Rev Hollis said other significant steps are still required, including an increase to Australia’s humanitarian intake of refugees.
“We look forward to the Government acting to meet its commitment to increase the humanitarian intake,” she said.
Related news
Journey to Net Zero: 2026 Roundtables
Be part of the Uniting Church’s Climate Action Roundtables The church community is invited to join this year’s series of Roundtables equipping communities for faithful, practical climate action Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to…
New UnitingCare Australia National Director officially commissioned
Tamara Thomas officially commissioned as National Director, UnitingCare Australia Before leaders and members of the Uniting Church and UnitingCare, Tamara Thomas has been formally welcomed into her new role as National Director of the Church’s social justice and advocacy agency Tamara Thomas has been officially commissioned as the new National Director of UnitingCare Australia.…
UCA President urges political leaders to back peace and immediate ceasefire
Middle East conflict: UCA President urges Political Leaders to back peace and immediate ceasefire President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, has written to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Australian Greens and other Australian political party leaders, urging multi-partisan support for the Australian Government to…
President issues statement on Middle East conflict
Middle East conflict: Uniting Church President urges peace and protection of human life STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA REV CHARISSA SULI A CALL FOR PEACE AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, I speak with deep concern as violence escalates across the Middle…
Day of Mourning 2026
#UCADayofMourningSunday 25 January Since 1994, the Uniting Church has been in Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). Entered into with honesty about our past and hope for the future, this Covenant commits us to working together for a just Church and a just nation.…
UCA presence at The People's Blockade 2025
Join The People’s Blockade 2025 Find out how to join others from the Uniting Church at The People’s Blockade this weekend, one of Australia’s most iconic and creative climate action events held on the foreshore of the world’s largest coal port This weekend, members of the Uniting Church are invited to join thousands of…
16 Days of Activism begins
“Digital violence is real violence”: 16 Days of Activism begins Alongside the President Rev Charissa Suli, voices from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific share this message for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Alongside Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli, voices from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific have united to send…
Time to ban nuclear weapons forever
Teardrops on the marble: time to ban nuclear weapons forever On 3 and 4 November 2025, the Uniting Church joined with ICAN Australia and the Public Health Association of Australia for two days of advocacy meetings with Federal MPs against the backdrop of a rising global nuclear threat On 3 & 4 November 2025,…