Background
The SHEV is a temporary visa that may allow you to stay in Australia legally for up to five years, during which time you can work and study in Australia, will have access to Medicare and Centrelink, as well as having free access to certain English language classes and public education for any children included in your application.
Who can get this visa?
To be granted a SHEV, you must engage Australia’s protection obligations. For more information in this regard, please see the definition of a refugee and description of complementary protection under the Protection Visa tab.
You must also meet other requirements, such as health, security, and character checks.
Is there a pathway to permanent residence?
Unlike the TPV, there is a pathway to permanent residence for holders of the SHEV. You may be eligible for a skilled migrant visa or certain family visas if for at least three and half years (42 weeks) of you holding your TPV:
- You have been employed in regional Australia and have not received special benefit payments from Centrelink.
- You have been enrolled in and physically attended full-time study in regional Australia.
- A combination of the above.
Both you and your family members included in your SHEV must meet these requirements to be eligible for permanent residency.
Work
To meet the work criteria of the SHEV pathway to permanent residence, the work you do in regional Australia must be lawful, paid work. Your employment basis is flexible – it can be full-time, part-time, casual or temporary.
The government will not find a job for you in regional Australia – this is your responsibility.
Please note that any work you do whilst receiving the special benefit payment will not be counted towards the three and a half year requirement.
You should also consult a migration agent or lawyer to discuss what sort of work you should do and what sort of courses you should study to give you the best prospects of securing permanent residency in the future.
Study
To meet the study criteria of the SHEV pathway to permanent residence, you need to physically attend full-time study that is:
- Accredited by the Australian Qualifications Framework, including a maximum of one course leading to a Certificate 1.
- At the campus of an education provider located in a regional area included in the SHEV arrangements or at a primary school, high school or college in regional Australia for a minimum of 161 weeks.
Participating in Adult Migrant English Programme courses that meet these criteria (Certificate I, II & III courses only) will count towards the 3.5 year requirement.
Social security benefits
You can access many other benefits which will not affect the work criteria when applying for permanent residence. We can inform you of what benefits you are eligible as a SHEV holder.