This information is for people seeking asylum who are being processed under the Fast Track system – this means people who arrived by boat in between 13 August 2012 and 31 December 2013, who have never been taken to Manus Island or Nauru.

All people in this group have now been sent a letter inviting them to apply for their Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV). The invitation letters say that you have 60 days to apply for your TPV or SHEV. If you have been to the ASRC legal program and you are on our waiting list, we have been requesting an extension of time from the Department to lodge your application.

It is very important that you receive legal advice before you lodge your application for a TPV or SHEV.

Some people who were sent invitations during 2015 may receive a letter from the Department in the next few weeks reminding them to apply for a TPV or SHEV. If you receive one of these letters from the Department, please do not worry.

For people who were sent invitations during 2015:

1. If you have already been to the ASRC legal program and you are on our waiting list, we will be calling you in the next few days to discuss your case. Please be assured that we will be booking you in for an appointment to lodge your application as soon as possible.

2. If you have not already been to the ASRC legal program and have not engaged with another legal service, please call us on (03) 9274 9827 on Mondays and Thursdays between 2pm – 4pm.

Please note that the ASRC legal program will be closed from 23 December 2016 until 10 January 2017. Over the holiday season, we will be open to deal with urgent matters only from 10am to 3pm on 29 December 2016 and 5 January 2017. If you require urgent assistance during the holiday season you should call (03) 9274 9889 on 29 December or 5 January between 10am to 3pm.