Protection (subclass 866) Visa Legal Assistance

Overview

The Australian Government is inviting applicants via a restricted process to apply to deliver services under the Refugee, Humanitarian, Settlement and Migrant Services Program – Protection (subclass 866) Visa Legal Assistance Program from 2023–24 to 2024–25.  The objectives of the program are: provide specialist legal assistance at the primary Protection visa processing stage including advising clients of the criteria for a Protection visa, their prospects and other visa options where relevant provide community outreach on the Protection visa program. The intended outcomes of the program are: make free voluntary refugee legal advice more accessible for Protection visa, and prospective Protection visa, applicants helping to ensure genuine applicants are supported through the visa application process and reducing the exploitation of vulnerable migrants support successful delivery and integrity of the Protection visa program by: supporting Protection visa applicants to articulate claims (resulting in more ‘decision-ready’ applications that provide all the relevant evidence to support protection claims) providing prospective applicants with advice on the requirements for a Protection visa, the implications of applying, and on other visa options which may more appropriately suit their personal circumstances.