Policy change for people in the ‘Fast Track’ refugee process

Who is this information for?

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 should now lodge their application for their Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV). Many people have recently received a reminder letter from the Department, with a deadline of 60 days or 30 days to lodge their application a TPV or SHEV.

What has changed?

People may have seen that on 21 May 2017, government announced another change in policy. The government has now said everyone in the Fast Track process must apply for a TPV or SHEV before 1 October 2017.

This is a strict deadline and there may be serious consequences if you do not apply by this date, including losing your Centrelink payments, losing your Bridging Visa E, or being denied the chance to lodge your application for a TPV or SHEV.

What can you do?

If you have not yet contacted a lawyer about your application you need to talk to ASRC as soon as possible. ASRC will try and help you lodge your application before 1 October 2017. Please call us on   (03) 9274 9827 on Mondays and Thursdays between 2pm – 4pm, or come to the ASRC at 214-218 Nicholson St Footscray on any day (except Wednesday) at 10am.

If you are already on ASRC legal program’s waiting list we will be booking you in for an appointment to lodge your application as soon as possible, before 1 October 2017. If you receive a reminder letter from the Department, call us on (03) 9274 9889. You can also email a copy of your letter to legal_ft@asrc.org.au

It is very important that you get legal assistance before lodging your application for a TPV or SHEV.