THE Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) has praised the government's decision to grant permanent visas to around 19,000 refugees who hold Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV).
The SCOA called the move a significant step towards ending uncertainty and limbo faced by these refugees for the past decade.
These visa holders will now have the same rights as all other permanent residents, including access to social security benefits, higher education loans, and a path to Australian citizenship.
The Albanese Government has committed $9.4M over two years to help TPV and SHEV holders with the visa application process.
The SCOA also welcomed the government's decision to restore the family reunion pathway for refugees on permanent visas.
